Today we read from the Gospel - Luke 10. 38-42 where Jesus and the disciples were welcomed into the home of a woman named Martha. Martha was a hard working woman and she had a sister called Mary.
Mary sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying but Martha was distracted by her many tasks, so she went up to Jesus and asked, "Lord do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"
But the Lord answered her, "Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken from her."
We discussed that in today's world Mary would be the one who listened to stories and who people would like to talk to, and if she was asked to cook a meal it would probably be beans on toast! Whereas Martha would be rushing around too busy to talk or listen to anyone, and for a meal she would cook a full Sunday roast.
The children said that Jesus was trying to tell us that it is better to be a listener than to be wrapped up in your own little world doing lots of things and not having time for others. They then drew some pictures to go with the Gospel reading (click on the 'Photos' page for their gallery) and then we played a listening game where they had to be blindfolded and listen for footsteps.
