Martha and Mary – the Traditional Rendering You may know the story of Martha and Mary. Jesus arrives at their home, and Martha acts as hostess. She busies herself performing unnamed tasks while her sister, Mary, sits at the Lord’s feet, listening to him speak. Distracted and overwhelmed, Martha complains that she is left by herself to do everything. She beseeches Jesus to tell her sister to get up and help. As is his way, however, Jesus does not do what he is asked. Instead, he gently chides the woman, saying, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has…