The Case for Martha

In October, I helped to plan and host the Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference, hosted by Franciscan Action Network, a three-day event for 150 participants. The conference featured trainings on faith-based advocacy, nonviolent communication, and Franciscan Justice Circles—all of which culminated in 41 meetings on Capitol Hill lobbying for peace and justice.

I had initially planned on writing this blog about some of my contemplative reflections from the conference and its wonderful panel speakers. While I sat looking at a blank Google Doc, none were coming to mind. 

This is probably because instead of listening to most of the keynote speakers, I was planning my route to pass the microphone around for the Q&A. 

I missed most of the other sessions while I was organizing people into new small groups for our Sunday sessions, printing table tents we left behind at our offices, or asking the hotel staff to fill water pitchers.  

Is that a complaint? Absolutely not! 

I thought back to the classic story of Mary and Martha. My job during the conference was to be like Martha. Just like she was cleaning and cooking when Jesus visited her and her sister, I was cooking and cleaning in my own sense from the hallway of the hotel conference room. 

Whenever I hear the story of Mary and Martha, I have a lot of sympathy for Martha. Yes, Mary chose the right thing by sitting at the foot of Jesus, but what if the bread Martha was baking was about to burn? What if she just wanted to clean up the space where Jesus could wash his feet before he got too comfortable? 

The tasks that were on Martha’s to-do list had to be done.

 No, maybe not right in that moment, but I’m sure it made Mary more engrossed in her time with Jesus knowing that the background details were being taken care of. 

By taking care of the conference logistics, I allowed others the gift of presence. 

When I went to the first Franciscan Justice Leadership Conference in 2023, I know I wasn’t worried about a minute-by-minute run of show or how many t-shirts FAN had left over. This year, in 2025, while I watched the participants revel in their joy of faith-based advocacy, I saw the same twinkle I first had in my eye in 2023. 

I took a step back to let them be Mary, and to let me be Martha. 

If I did my job correctly, they, hopefully, did not even notice the running around I was doing backstage. I simply wanted them to bask at the metaphorical feet of Jesus. 

By taking my turn at being a Martha, I let others be more present – just like Mary. 

Questions for Reflection: Where is God inviting you to be like Martha? What details can you take care of so that others can be present like Mary?