ISAIAH 18:1-10
PSALM 15
COLOSSIANS 1:24-28
LUKE 10:38-42
My sisters and brothers in Christ.
The setting for the story of Martha and Mary is
domestic,
cozy and
almost cute.
Jesus is on a journey.
Jesus probably made this journey on foot.
Jesus is hungry.
Jesus is thirsty.
Jesus is tired.
Jesus is "welcomed by Martha."
Martha has "a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak."
So far so good.
A cultural note at this time is appropriate and may help to explain Martha's "burden with much serving" and her impatient question to Jesus.
The cultural note is this. It is highly unlikely that Jesus would be alone with two women who were not his relatives.
While the story does not mention anyone else being present it is highly likely that Lazarus, Martha and Mary's brother was present.
This would make Jesus' visit acceptable since the sisters are protected and supervised by their brother.
It is also possible that some or even all of the twelve disciples were present since Jesus' journey to Jerusalem is a public and communal event.
A few Sundays ago Jesus sent out seventy two disciples who returned with bragging rights about all they had done in Jesus' name.
What if Martha was serving the seventy two as well?
If Martha is serving twelve or seventy two people the story is a little less intimate and explains why Martha indeed has reason to feel "burdened".
Martha's question to Jesus goes back to the question asked by the scribe last week end.
The question to Jesus last weekend was:
"Master, what must I do to inherit (gain or enter) eternal life?"
The scribe's answer to his own question had to do with his "loving God and neighbor" if he was to "live (in the divine presence for all eternity)."
Martha's question Is coupled with not a request but a command.
First the question from Martha to Jesus is:
"Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?"
Second the command from Martha to Jesus:
"Tell her to help me."
Martha was not in a particularly diplomatic mood when she asks a question that implies Jesus does not care about Martha's burden and asks Jesus to "judge" Mary as an irresponsible, possibly spoiled, brat.
To add insult to the now injured hospitable and cozy scene
Martha gives her command to Jesus:
"Tell her to help me."
There is some irony here, Martha addresses Jesus as "Lord" yet she give "the Lord" orders.
Imagine for a moment; close your eyes if you wish, the tone of voice Martha is using.
Imagine for a moment Martha's facial expression.
Imagine for a moment Martha's body language.
Martha's question and command deal with the issue of "entering eternal life."
We know, as do Mary and Martha and that scribe last Sabbath that we must "love God and neighbor" if we are to enter eternal life.
Jesus gives Martha an answer to her question that clarifies for
Martha and for us today that
loving God and neighbor
begins with,
has its foundation in,
is not possible without
"listening to the Lord speaking to us."
Jesus' answer to Martha recognizes Martha's dilemma and proposes a solution to that dilemma.
Jesus says to Martha:
"Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.
There is need of only one thing.
Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her."
Martha's dilemma has to do with being "burdened", "anxious" with many things. Martha does not have or does not take the time to 'listen to the Lord.'
When we or Martha depend on our own strength and ability, when we do not have time to listen to the Lord we find our anxiety and worry only increase, only deepen, only overwhelm us more and more.
Jesus does not reject Martha's hospitality.
Jesus does firmly advise Martha that she is devoting herself to the "burden" of serving without devoting herself to the privilege and necessity of "listening to the Lord."
The story of Martha and Mary touches us deeply because it is really a story that challenges each of us to attend to loving God and neighbor in a healthy and balanced way.
We all know "Martha types" and we all know "Mary types".
In fact each of us have probably known Martha and Mary in ourselves.
When we are so anxious and so worried that we are
short with people
or judgmental
or rude
it may be an indication that we need to honor and embrace
the challenge Mary presents today.
I have been told more than once:
"Don't just sit there,
do something!"
When we are "doing so many things" that we feel burdened, put upon, anxious, worried maybe we need to tell ourselves a variation of:
"Don't just sit there,
do something!"
Maybe we need to tell ourselves:
"Don't just do something, sit there."
Sit there and think,
Sit there and listen.
Sit there and hear what the Lord is saying.
If the Lord is being silent
sit there and listen some more.
After all we believe, the Lord's
word,
love,
presence are welcoming us you into
his heart,
his life
and his kingdom.
