Mary and Martha
Luke 10:38-42
This story from Luke’s gospel wants us to take sides, between these sisters, Mary and Martha. Taking sides is often what we need to do: lukewarm is not a gospel temperature. But this story is not one of those cases where taking sides will be “life-giving.” Why pit the sisters against each other, or their ministries of domestic management and hospitality on the one hand, and attention to the living Word on the other?
Of course, we busy ourselves with too many things, today more than ever, and we need to refocus our attentions. But the story as it meets us should fill us with holy suspicion: What is the cost of taking sides here? For whom will there be a cost? How can we converse with each other, with our homegrown traditions, and with Christ, in a way that will build a church in which all ministries are honored, and in which the very shape of ministry can change in response to the world’s needs? Perhaps we will find the answer to those questions sitting at Jesus’ feet, with Mary, and with Martha, after the evening banquet.
(With thanks to Jane Redmont for her inspiration)
Peace to you this week,
Fr. Bob+
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