Jesus certainly praised the activity of Martha's sister, Mary, but he didn't say that what Martha was doing was worthless.
In the Gospels, Martha isn't given the most positive profile. She does all that she can for Jesus, and somehow is "rebuked" for it?
What's really happening?
First, we need to see how St. Luke frames the situation:
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)
One thing to note is that some translations say Mary has chosen the "better part," while the RSV-CE names it, "the good portion."
This is an important distinction, as "the good portion" does less to minimize the service that Martha is doing for Jesus as a host. What she is doing is still "good," but there is something different about what her sister Mary is doing.
One thing necessary
Pope Benedict XVI explains in an Angelus message that what Martha was missing was her primary focus:
Christ's words are quite clear: there is no contempt for active life, nor even less for generous hospitality; rather, a distinct reminder of the fact that the only really necessary thing is something else: listening to the word of the Lord; and the Lord is there at that moment, present in the Person of Jesus! All the rest will pass away and will be taken from us but the word of God is eternal and gives meaning to our daily actions.
He continues by saying, "the human person must indeed work and be involved in domestic and professional occupations, but first and foremost needs God, who is the inner light of Love and Truth. Without love, even the most important activities lose their value and give no joy."
The good news is that Martha learned her lesson that day, and she remained a faithful servant of Christ, but instead of being distracted, she put her focus on Jesus.
The active life is important and St. Martha could be called in some ways the "patron of the active life," but if we are not focused on Jesus and his Word, then everything we do falls short.
St. Martha also reminds us that just because Jesus calls us out, it doesn't mean we should give up. Jesus is inviting us to a deeper relationship, and instead of remaining obstinate in our pride, we need to be humble and accept Jesus' loving guidance.
