Busy. A horrible word. It suggests a spiritual disease. A bore is someone who remarks how busy he is and with what activities. I think "busy" means being egotistic and arrogant - believing the world needs me so much. It means being inhospitable:
I regale you with how much work your presence demands of me, how intrusive you are.
I play God. I imply that you are less important if you are less busy. It's hard to expunge "busy" from the vocabulary, but it helps to remember its use is offensive.
Martin E. Marty, Lovers' Quarrels and Casserole Theology
Richly ironic, from one of the busiest church leaders of our time. Not using the word doesn't address the behavior behind the word, does it, Dr. Marty?
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