Article January 8, 1949 Issue

A helpful lesson in the right use of time. Tale of Jesus' visit with Martha and Mary is proved of practical value today

"ONE THING IS NEEDFUL"

DOROTHEA KAHN JAFFE

The complete answer to today's problem of lack of time was offered to the world twenty centuries ago. This solution, given by Jesus to a friend, is as fresh and practical as though spoken in this hour.

Martha, who put the problem before Jesus, seemed as pressed for time as many of us think we are today. She was a busy homemaker and doubtless thought that if only she had a little more time, she could learn more about the truth. But probably she thought that the cleaning and cooking must be done before she could be free to turn her thoughts to things spiritual.

Also, like many of us today, she looked for relief from this burdened sense to a person. There was Mary, her sister, who ought to help her, but Mary was busy listening to the teaching of Jesus. With the perspective of the ages, we find it easy to detect Martha's mistake. We certainly would not let the demands of an elaborate dinner keep us from hearing the words of the world's greatest teacher, we tell ourselves. It is not quite so easy to realize that we make the same mistake ourselves if, having the inspired written Word at hand, we miss the glorious opportunity of studying it simply because we accept a false sense of duty or hospitality.

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