Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

Have you heard the phrase "The devil's in the details?" That's what comes to mind when I read the vignette of Martha in the kitchen while Mary hangs out with Jesus. I've been in Martha's position so many times: wishing people would stop visiting before a meeting and "get down to business," getting flustered over entertaining instead of fully enjoying the company that has come to spend time with me. How do we know when to rest and take it all in and when to do what needs doing?
Doesn't it seem that Jesus repeatedly tries to get us to connect with people, connect with God, rather than connect with "the rules?" Perhaps Jesus is not so much rebuking Martha's working as he is thumbing his nose at her request to bring her sister Mary to task. Martha is soothing her own obligation (and guilt) to perform as a host in favor of joyfully allowing her sister to sit at Jesus' feet (or even allowing herself to do so).
But the question remains, "WHO DOES MAKE the hors d'oeuvres when the SON OF GOD stops in for the evening??" In another familiar parable later in Luke, the prodigal brother is angry that the lost son is accepted without consequence while he's been doing the "right thing" all along at his father's side. Don't we all get a little testy when we are doing the right thing for the wrong reason???
Mary is at peace resting on Jesus' words. The prodigal brother and Martha cannot find peace with others' easy redemption or easy gifts of grace, mercy, lenience, and time. How would the story have turned out if Martha let go of her resentment and invited Mary and Jesus into the kitchen to chat while she prepared the finger sandwiches and wiped down the counter? Perhaps Jesus is working to realign our reasoning for doing what we do!
Reading:
Luke 15:28-32, Matthew 11:28-30
Father,
We have grown weary as the center of our own universe. Help us find rest in a personal relationship with you. Allow us to recognize that your relationship with each of your children is as unique as a snowflake. Grant us lightened hearts to rejoice in grace and mercy being showered on our brothers and sisters, and help us notice the immeasurable grace and mercy being bestowed upon our own lives. Purify our motivations so that we reflect your love to those around us and feel the peace that sharing our burdens with you allows.
In Your Son's Perfect Example,
Amen