The One Thing Necessary

Gospel Reflection for Wednesday, July 29th, 2026, Memorial of Sts. Martha, Mary, and Lazarus

Now as they went on their way, he entered a village; and a woman named Martha received him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving; and she went to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; one thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42.

Today’s Gospel records for us one of the most important teachings for the spiritual life that Our Lord gives in the gospels. While there are numerous lessons we can learn from these beloved sisters, the final line in this passage runs at the very heart of the interior life. Here, I want to quote from the Douay-Rheims translation, as it reflects the original meaning a bit better:

“But one thing is necessary. Mary hath chosen the best part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42, D-R

As I wrote last week, I believe the evidence that Mary of Bethany and Mary Magdalene are the same person is highly likely. And that is important for this. As I said last week, this is indicative of the contemplative life of Mary. Mary sits at the feet of Jesus while her sister is serving at table. Martha complains that she is doing all the work, and Our Lord takes the moment to teach her, and us, that of the two, entering into communal conversation with Him is the best part; it is the one thing necessary. Our Lord is not rebuking her for working. Far from it. Work is good, and there is ample time to do what needs to be done during the day.

But when one has chosen to sit at the feet of the Lord and to enter into an intimate conversation with Him, that is better. So much so that the Lord uses the phrase the one thing necessary. This is the heart of the interior life: that we put the worldly cares aside so as to enter into intimate communion with the lover of our soul.

“I am my beloved’s, and His desire is for me.” Song of Songs 7:10

The words of the Song of Songs are reflected in this intimate union between the devout soul and the Lord. We are called by Him to enter the interior room and converse with Him who loves us. This union with the beloved is the one thing necessary.

Yes, there are many cares that those in the secular world have to take care of, and the Lord is not telling those of us in the world to abandon them. Many of these things are attached to the vocation that the Lord has called us to. But the contemplation of St. Mary is one that all the baptized are called to, regardless of their state in life. This means that, for those who are in the world, we must make room for the better part. This means that we must dispose ourselves to the interior life and make it a prominent part of our day.

The Lord desires us to sit at His feet in loving rapture. He reminds us that it is the one thing necessary for us—union with Him.

On Ordinary and Extraordinary Mysticism

For more from Dr. McGovern, visit his Substack at A Thomist, Dedicated to the Theological tradition of St. Thomas Aquinas. Exploring Thomas’ Spiritual Theology and topics in Christology and Mariology.