6th Sunday after Pentecost
Text: Luke 10:38-42
Pastor Jean M. Hansen
It’s another familiar Gospel lesson. Last week we heard the parable of the Good Samaritan in which the focus is on being a neighbor, that is, someone who helps others, particularly anyone in need, even if that person is a stranger. This week the sisters Mary and Marta are our focus and the message seems to contradict last week’s call to action.
Is Jesus saying that sitting at his feet is better than serving him or others? Or think of it this way, is Jesus saying that contemplating his teaching, which we might describe as prayer and study, is better than action, that is showing hospitality and serving? One way is exemplified by Mary, the other by Martha, and whenever this text is read people identify with one or the other, with the Marthas getting just a bit defensive.
So, let me begin by saying that, no, I do not believe Jesus is saying that one is better than the other. But, before we consider that more fully, let’s note a few details in the story. Mary and Martha were the sisters of Lazarus, and all three are presented in scripture as friends of Jesus, people he loved.
At this point in Luke’s account, Jesus has set his face toward Jerusalem; nothing was going to stop him from fulfilling his purpose. This means he was taking every opportunity to teach his followers what it means to be his disciples and to get them “on board” for what lies ahead, his arrest, trial and death. Doing so was not proving to be an easy task. Could that be why he did not encourage Mary to help her sister? When he stopped in Bethany to visit his friends, he was only about six miles from his destination, so the closing days of his journey were drawing near.
It’s interesting that the reader is not given any details about the “many tasks” that were occupying Martha; it’s often thought that she was preparing a meal, which was a complicated process in the first century. If that’s the case, we have no idea how many guests were expected; were the disciples there too? In that case, there were at least 16 people she was preparing to feed. Can you imagine the effort that would require? There was no Giant Eagle or Papa Joes to call to cater the meal. I think most of us can sympathize with Martha being anxious and frustrated as she worked to care for their guests.
While Martha was very, very busy, her sister Mary was sitting a Jesus’ feet, the designated place for a disciple, listening to him. We can imagine that she was content, absorbed. In contrast, the first word that is used to describe Martha is translated distracted, but is closer to worried, anxious, bothered, troubled. This is not distraction as one might be distracted by Facebook or a TV show or a good book. She’s anxious, upset, worried.
That’s the problem, or rather, how she dealt with being anxious, upset and worried is the problem. It’s not that one sister’s behavior is better than that of the other sister, as we often conclude when we read this text. They both are doing good things, showing hospitality and showing devotion to a teacher are both acts of a disciple. The problem was that Martha became overwhelmed and focused on the fact that her sister wasn’t helping rather than acknowledging her own feelings and need. Then, of all things, she told Jesus how to solve it for her. She not only embarrassed her sister and their guest, but actually criticized Jesus for not intervening, accusing him of not caring for her. She was totally focused on her own anxiety and on her sister’s failure, at least from her point of view.
Now, let’s pause for a moment to consider if this scenario has ever played itself out in your family? Someone, maybe you, is working hard on a task, while another person who is perfectly capable of helping, is occupied doing something that to you seems less important or at least could easily be done later. Have you ever lashed out to criticize that person, making the accusation, “You don’t care, do you, how hard I’m working … for us?!”
It happens in other settings too – churches, schools, jobs, neighborhoods – people become anxious and agitated because others seem not to be doing their fair share. They may even let everyone know, “This is NOT fair!” I’d say that this is a story with which we can identify.
With that in mind, let’s look at Jesus’ response, which was focused on Martha’s attitude, not her actions. He acknowledged how she was feeling and called her by name, twice, lovingly, I think. He spoke to her anxiety, telling her that while she is worried about many things, there is need of only one thing. What’s the one thing? It is to receive the presence of Jesus and know that she is valued not for what she does or how well she does it, but for who she is as a child of God. By doing so, she can ask Jesus for help and the anxiety is less likely to overwhelm her.
Although the situations we face are not as clear-cut as Mary’s and Martha’s, there is a message here for us. We too become anxious, worried and agitated when we feel overwhelmed or not appreciated, and our focus often is drawn to other people, and sometimes God, on whom we cast blame. When that occurs, it’s a warning sign that we’ve lost our focus on Jesus.
Our frustration then turns to anger and we tell someone off or complain or quit. Sometimes we even tell God what to do, how to answer our prayers or ask God to take our side. When it has reached that point, we need the one thing Martha needed, which is to receive the gracious presence of Jesus who can calm our anxiety and remind us that we are valued, not because of what we do or how we do it, but because we are beloved children of God. That’s the better part that Mary had chosen, that would not be taken from her.
As we live lives of faith, in whatever way that happens, anxiety and worry keep us from experiencing Jesus’ presence. Mary had chosen the better part because she focused on Jesus, and Martha could have done the same thing as she served. Quoting Pastor JoAnn Taylor, “Mary didn’t choose ‘the better part’ because she was sitting and listening. It wasn’t the form of devotion that Martha was missing. It was the object of her devotion that made the difference.” (1) To put it another way, Martha was focused on the actions of others and their perceived shortcomings, as opposed to her own relationship with Jesus. (2)
It’s that relationship, the acknowledgement of Jesus’ presence with us, the knowledge that we are valued as children of God and touched by the gift of grace that keeps us on the right track, that is the better way. How often do we STOP and intentionally remember that when anxiety and frustration are building within us? When we do, Jesus will lovingly say to us as he did to Martha, “____________, _______________ you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing.” His name is Jesus. AMEN
(1) “Martha Was A Methodist – Sermon on Luke 10:38-42” by JoAnn Taylor, July 21, 2019, www.pastorsings.com
(2) “Commentary on Luke 10:38-42” by Jennifer Wyant, www.workingpreacher.com