Martha thought of her invitation carefully, making effort not to sound too eager, but it was all-telling, her enthusiasm was just bubbling out. Which of these sounded better ?
"May the Lord has the pleasure to dine at my humble home with my sister and brother ?"
"Lazarus would be so pleased to have your honour of visiting our home, Sir."
"My Lord, I be over-joy and extremely delighted to prepare a meal for you and all the people."
Martha thought about almost the whole day, not a single moment passed that her thoughts was not on this topic of inviting the Lord to her home. What if He says no, he can't come, that he is busy ? Oh, that be so disastrous, for in her excitement she has started preparing the meals menu a week ago and has been changing and drafting up the choices based on her experiences.
That morning, Lazarus woke up really early and so early that Martha was still sound asleep, without telling anyone, Lazarus dashed out of the house and disappeared into the day before dawn. By the time Martha woke up, the maids told her about Lazarus leaving in a haste. Martha was furious and upset, her brother would never leave her and the sister Mary without saying Goodbye. Mother has taught them to part with a kiss and a blessings, everyday, rain or shine. It was like a ritual that the family has kept. And today, Lazarus has broken the family ritual, it seemed.
Before long, Lazarus; footsteps were heard dashing into the family courtyard, he and his friends were laughing really loud, joyously entering the home and calling his dear sisters to come to him. Martha, being the eldest of them all, was in shock. Before she could reprimand him, Lazarus announced that the Lord was coming to their home for supper, that very day, like now he was walking towards the house. Martha froze and went speechless. Mary jumped up and down.
Without a word, her heart was so joyous, the Lord is coming and she did not even have to invite Him, she dashed into her kitchen, summoning the maids to follow her and instructing her brother and sister to join her inside her office "Kitchen". Well, the brother said he needed to prepare the living room area and probably a sleep-over place for the Lord. Mary, she ran into her room and started to choose her best costume to meet the Lord, such vain lady !
In the mind of Martha was her big plan and big heart, that all who enter her home shall not be hungry, how does one begin to prepare food for a party of ten to possibly a crowd of 5,000 ? What about their age gap ? How does one cater for group with ages from 1 to 95 ? She got it all worked out, something soft for the very young and very old, something healthy for the sick, something yummy for the rest. All are taken care of, that was her plan.
Meanwhile, the Lord came into the house, all three siblings stood tall to meet and greet His majesty. Without further ado, Martha asked to be excused to continue with her "office" work at the kitchen ! As she ran into her "office", her eyes saw Mary, seated on the floor, next to the Lord, almost glued to the floor. Martha was not that pleased, she gave her a stare as if she could summon her to work. Mary just ignored her and started to enjoy herself.
Mary seemingly was very lazy. She was being unhelpful to her sister's plans to entertain and serve the Lord. How would the Lord allow laziness among His followers ?
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