Luke 10:38-42
While Jesus and his disciples were traveling, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his message. By contrast, Martha was preoccupied with getting everything ready for their meal. So Martha came to him and said, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to prepare the table all by myself? Tell her to help me."

The Lord answered, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things. One thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part. It won't be taken away from her."
(Common English Bible)
 

Reflection 

I have a really good friend who hates this story. The fact that her name is Martha may have something to do with it. Most commentators and preachers polarize these two women. Mary is the devoted, holy one, the one who knows her priorities. Martha is the wayward one, because she frets about the food she will serve Jesus and wonders if there will be enough. My friend Martha is not only quite the cook but also a really devoted disciple of Jesus who happens to be gifted in acts of service. She'd be the one getting the sanctuary ready for worship. She would not be the one preaching. It is not hard to see why she dislikes the usual interpretations of this story.

What we don't readily realize when we read this text is that Jesus' support of Mary sitting at his feet and being taught by him was a radical, countercultural stance. Only men were expected and allowed to be taught by the rabbi. Learning and studying and listening to the teacher was men's work only, while cooking and cleaning and preparing to serve was the work of women. The cool thing about Jesus is that he doesn't bat an eye at the fact that Mary sits at his feet, wants to learn, and desires to be his disciple, too.

I don't believe Jesus is dismissing the need for service and practical hands-on tasks when he tells Martha she is distracted by many things. His reminder to Martha is that her tasks have become disconnected from the One who calls her to serve. His support of Mary's devotion is a statement that anyone can have access to Jesus and sit at his feet. Isn't it a privilege to have access to Jesus and to serve because of it?

Prayer     
Dear Lord, help me to live into discipleship. Enable my service to be grounded in you. And when I start to grumble, allow me to grumble to you, like Martha did, knowing that you value me. Amen.  

   

  Written by Judith L. Watt, Associate Pastor for Pastoral Care  

 

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