Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: BRUNCH (02/27/25)
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TITLE: A Divine Guest | Previous Challenge Entry
By Ellen Janson
03/05/25 -
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“Jesus is coming tomorrow!” she told Mary.
”Tomorrow?!” Mary jumped up and down in excitement.
”Yes! Tomorrow! We have so much to do!” Martha was sweating.
Martha listed all the chores she and Mary needed to do before their visitors arrived in 24 hours. Then she handed Mary a jar of water and a bar of lime soap.
“The sheets first. We need to scrub them and get them out to dry quickly. While they’re drying we can sweep out the bed chambers. Oh, I do hope the chickens have laid enough eggs,” she mumbled as she went outside to check the coop.
When Martha returned to the house, Mary was on her knees, but she was staring into space instead of scrubbing the floors.
“Mary, what are you doing?!”
Mary startled. “Oh! I’m just praying that our Master arrives safely.”
“Well hurry up, we have so much work to do,” Martha said sharply.
”OK. I’m just so excited.”
”Yes. And they will all need to eat!”
Martha needed to get the bread started so it would have time to rise. She moaned in exasperation upon realizing there wasn’t enough water.
”Mary, hurry. Go fetch some water at the well.”
While Mary was gone, Martha returned to fussing over the bed chambers.
“What is taking her so long?” she grumbled to herself. “I have got to get this bread started.”
Mary finally returned flushed and smiling.
“What took you so long? It should’ve taken an hour or so and you’ve been gone at least two,” Martha scolded.
”There was an old woman at the well. She needed help with her water jug and she seemed lonely - like she needed a friend to talk to.”
Martha shook her head and grabbed the water out of Mary’s hands.
”Please go collect some leeks and pomegranates,” she instructed.
Martha pounded furiously on the dough as she kneaded it into shape. She rattled off in her head a list of what they would serve Jesus and his followers for brunch tomorrow morning. She smiled as she sprinkled some cinnamon into the dough; maybe she could even find some raisins. Jesus would probably really appreciate raisin bread!
Martha finished preparing the bread and again went looking for Mary, somewhat exasperated with her sister’s lack of urgency. “It’s almost dusk,” she thought “and we still have so much to do!”
When Martha looked down the path she could see her sister slowly making her way home. Martha called to her to hurry up. Mary picked up her pace and returned with the pomegranates and leeks.
“I’m sorry, Martha. You should have seen the sunset. The sky was glorious as it was setting over the mountains….it was so beautiful, I couldn’t help myself from pausing to worship Yahweh.”
Martha sighed as she lifted the produce from Mary’s arms.
The next morning Martha woke up after a restless night of sleep, and before the rooster crowed, thinking of all the things she still needed to do. She started the fire and set the table without any attempt to keep from waking Mary. Her sister needed to wake up and help.
The meal preparations continued until a young girl ran to their door panting that she had been sent to give them notice that Jesus and his followers would be there soon. Mary beamed and ran out to meet them. Martha’s palms began to sweat. “Was everything ready?” she asked herself as she looked around their home for the hundredth time.
When the crowd arrived both women offered their hospitality - hanging up their guest’s outer garments, washing their feet and getting them cool drinks. But when the meal needed to be served Mary just seemed to forget herself. She sat at Jesus’ feet while Martha ran around serving the food, refilling drinks and fluffing pillows. Martha didn’t want to scold her in front of the others, but she was growing angrier by the minute. Finally, she erupted,
“Jesus, don’t you see that I am doing all the work while Mary is just sitting there?”
Jesus looked at Martha, her cheeks flushed.
“Martha, I can see that you have worked very hard in preparation for our visit. Thank you. Everything is delicious…especially this bread,” he said as he winked at her.
“You have such a gift for hospitality, but Mary is worshipping me. I cannot fault her because nothing is more important than that. Please. Come be with us.”
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This is high quality biblical fiction writing which few people can master, but you've nailed it. Well done.