Being good is hard work

"Being good" is the hardest work a kid does. Half the time, you're not even sure what it means: Do you have to do everything grownups tell you, even if you don't agree with them? If you get angry or loud sometimes, are you still good?

Kids aren't the only ones who can't figure out what "being good" means. In this week's Gospel (Luke 10:38-42), Martha and Mary have totally different ideas about it!

When you're trying to be good, you might do all your chores without being asked. That's what Martha did: When Jesus visited, she took charge of all the cooking and served Him a good meal.

Jesus didn't tell Martha she was doing anything bad, either. But when Martha complained that Mary wasn't helping, Jesus pointed out that Mary had made a better choice: Mary was just sitting and listening to Jesus.

Being good is hard work, but Jesus' advice was a great clue: If you want to be a good person, start by paying attention to Jesus. Listen to what He says to us (in the Bible, at church and through other people), and spend time with Him (by praying, and seeing God in people and the world around you).

Martha ran around cooking. Mary waited to hear what Jesus wanted -- and it wasn't a fancy meal. It was just her attention!

(7/15/04)