CONTROL FREAKS

“A woman named Martha welcomed Him.” —Luke 10:38

St. Martha seems to have been a person excessively into controlling circumstances and people. She wanted everything “just so” for the dinner she was preparing for Jesus. Mary, Martha’s sister, was not cooperating, for she was more preoccupied with Jesus than with Martha’s agenda (Lk 10:39). Consequently, Martha instinctively tried to manipulate Mary into helping with the dinner. Martha did this by trying to manipulate Jesus into commanding Mary to get to work (Lk 10:40). Martha tried to move Jesus with the lever of self-pity. She complained that she had been “all alone” to do the work for the supper (Lk 10:40).

Are you controlling and manipulating? Do you try to get people to feel sorry for you? Do you sometimes try to shame people into doing what you want? Do you without thinking try even to manipulate God?

Jesus loves people like Martha “very much” (Jn 11:5). He shows this love by correcting them (Lk 10:41-42) and challenging them to believe in Him (Jn 11:26). Only by surrendering themselves to Jesus will the Marthas of the world be saved from self-destruction. For example, throughout human history various world leaders have tried to control everything. They even played and continue to play God in determining who will live. They have destroyed or are destroying themselves and so many others. Marthas desperately need Jesus. Jesus loves Marthas, and He alone saves them.

Prayer: Jesus, may I let You control me. May I be controlled by Your Spirit rather than controlling.

Promise: “The time came when He Who had set me apart before I was born and called me by His favor chose to reveal His Son to me.” —Gal 1:15-16

Praise: Born into wealth and privilege, St. Francis chose a life of poverty and service to the poor. He saw God in everyone and everything.