Lessons In Choosing The Better Part

This morning as I listened to the Gospel from Luke recounting that very well known scene of Martha and Mary during one of Jesus' visits to their home, I was thinking about choosing the better part. This is what Jesus tells Martha about her sister when Martha is troubled and anxious about having to do all the serving.
I heard Fr. Robert Barron give an interpretation of this story that I had not heard before. While many Scripture scholars use this Gospel account to demonstrate the active (Martha) and contemplative (Mary) lives, Fr. Barron explained that Jesus did not rebuke Martha because she was busy, but because she was anxious and somewhat unfocused. She lost sight of why and Who she was serving. Father went further to say that even if Martha had been sitting at Jesus' feet, she still may have been anxious and troubled.

This made me think about my own times at Jesus' feet~ those times when I am before Him in the Blessed Sacrament, or after receiving Him in Holy Communion. How often I find myself anxious and troubled over many things even though Jesus is right there before me. Choosing the better part seems to have less to do with being active or contemplative, and more with how we remain focused on Jesus no matter where we are or what we are doing.
As today is also the feast of St Faustina Kowalska, I was able to see how this nun was able to live out choosing the better part in all Christ called her to do. She was busy spreading the message of Divine Mercy, but always remained focused on the One who called her to do the work.
If you have never read this beautiful saint's diary, I strongly recommend it. It is long, but very easy to read. It is one of those books I have highlighted and dog earred sections of, and go back to often.
So let us follow the example of St Faustina and all the saints who at some point in their lives learned how to choose the better part. Martha became a saint, so I am sure she eventually learned this lesson as well.