Mary sat at Jesus' feet and listened to his teaching. To 'sit at someone's feet' was to be the disciple or student of that person.
Here Mary takes the position of someone who is learning from Jesus: he is the teacher, she is the pupil or disciple; he is the one who knows and teaches, she is the one who wants to learn.
It is the position of humility, of acknowledging ignorance, of a heart and mind that eager to take on board all that the teacher has to say.
She listened to his teaching, she heard his word.
To those who hear his word, really hear, understand and believe, Jesus gave several promises:
These promises are not just for those who sat at his feet as Mary did, when he was here on earth in human flesh. They are for all who, like Mary, hear, understand and believe the teaching of Jesus Christ, as it is faithfully passed on by those who believe.
Through these promises God extends the offer of eternal life, of escape from his just judgement. They are promises too great and too significant to be ignored. They challenge us all to sit at the feet of Jesus, and to learn from him.
Scriptures: Luke 10:38-41; Matthew 7:24; John 5:24; 10:16,27; 17:20.