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Now while they were on their way, they entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed Jesus into her home.

She had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the lord’s feet listening to His teaching.

But Martha was very busy and distracted with all her serving responsibilities, and she approached Him and said:

Lord, is it of no concern to You that my sister has left me to do the serving alone? Tell her to help me!

But the Lord replied to her: Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about many things; but Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her. (Luke 10:38-42)

This biblical verse opens Paulo Coelho’s renowned novel “The Alchemist,” which I found was quite an exciting way to introduce a fictional story.

As I continued with the reading, the verse lingered in my mind, demanding my attention. It intrigued me, and I felt compelled to delve deeper into its meaning.

Why was Martha so perturbed by Mary’s choice to listen to Jesus instead of helping with the serving? Why did Jesus side with Mary, and what did He mean by the “good part”?

Initially, I interpreted the verse at face value, seeing it as an endorsement of the importance of listening to the word of God, and I kept on reading.

However, after some weeks, a deeper meaning of the verse came to me through an epiphany I experienced while watching a documentary titled “How to Become a Billionaire” on Prime Video – a seemingly unrelated source.

The documentary featured three billionaires with seemingly ambitious and unconventional dreams: mining the moon, transferring human consciousness to robots for immortality, and building the largest social networking app in Silicon Valley.

Although their pursuits were distinct, I noticed a common theme emerge – these individuals pursued colossal dreams with unwavering passion. They were not seeking approval or wealth; rather, they were driven by the sheer joy of their endeavors.

The documentary brought back the memory of the biblical verse, because, as I watched it, I noticed the stark difference between two groups of people:

Human society, it seems, is divided into two categories: the “Marthas” who are constantly distracted by numerous worries and responsibilities, always prioritizing external expectations, and often seeking approval and validation from others.

And then, there are the “Marys” who have a seemingly carefree devotion to follow their inner passions with single-minded determination, unaffected by external judgments.

Jesus’s response, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about many things; but Mary has chosen the good part,” carries a profound message.

In my opinion, it suggests that being consumed by worries and external expectations, like Martha, is a futile endeavor. Instead, focusing on what truly matters to you, as Mary did, constitutes the “good part.”

Reflecting on the billionaires and Santiago – the protagonist in The Alchemist, I realize that the “good part” is reserved for those who are clear about what truly matters to them and who chase after their passions with laser-focused attention.

And just like Mary… NO ONE can take it away from them!

Recently, I came across an intriguing metaphysical interpretation of “sin”: to sin is to miss the mark, to fall short of one’s full potential.

This interpretation aligns with the message of the biblical verse: When we engage in countless activities – worrying and being bothered by many things – we fail to live up to our full potential, resulting in inner discontent.

Moreover, this misalignment can lead to resentment towards those who are living their dreams – the “Marys” of the world.

This resentment arises from the frustration of seeing others pursue their passions while feeling trapped in a cycle of worries and responsibilities.

However, when we can silence the worries and concerns that derail our progress and the need for validation and recognition from others, we create space for prolonged focus on the things that truly matter to us.

This, more often than not, leads to success and a sense of purpose.

Actionable takeaway:

This week, I implore you to focus on the below actionable steps and incorporate them into your life:

• Self-Reflect

Take a moment to assess your current trajectory. Are you focusing on the “good part”? Are your activities aligned with your true passions, or are you letting worries and concerns deter you from pursuing them?

• Observe the “Marys”

Identify individuals in your life who are passionately pursuing their passions. Learn from their dedication and commitment. Seek inspiration from those who have chosen the path less traveled.

• Work Through Negative Emotions

Recognize that resentment and jealousy towards the “Marys” can divert your focus and hinder your progress. Instead, concentrate on your own path and passions. Embrace the journey of self-discovery and growth.

If you ever find yourself questioning why others seem to have it all and starting to feel indignant, remember the timeless response of Jesus to Martha, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and bothered about many things; but Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

It’s never too late for you to choose the “good part” and pursue your passions; and when you do, with unwavering focus, the universe will align in support of your dreams.

I’ll leave you with one of the most cherished quotes from The Alchemist: “And when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”