Kevin Ireland – July 18, 2010

Are you a Mary or a Martha?

I think I'm a Martha.  I'm usually the one in the kitchen preparing meals (although I enjoy

cooking).  Too often, I find myself stressed out, worrying about how to meet all the

pressing obligations of the day.  And, I confess, that I have become upset when I feel that

others around me are not pulling their weight.

In his poem, The Sons of Martha, Rudyard Kipling wrote:

"The sons of Mary seldom bother, for they have inherited the good

part;

But the Sons of Martha favour their Mother of the careful soul and

the troubled heart . . .

"And the Sons of Mary smile and are blessed – they know the

Angels are on their side.

They know in them is the Grace confessed, and for them are the

Mercies multiplied.

They sit at the Feet – they hear the Word – they see how truly the

Promise runs.

They have cast their burden upon the Lord, and  - the Lord He lays

it on Martha's Sons."

The story of Mary and Martha compels us to ponder whether we are a "son of Mary" or

"a son of Martha" (or in your case, perhaps a daughter); however I believe that Jesus'

encounter with the two sisters can teach us to balance the mundane and the spiritual in

our daily lives as Christians by reminding us of what is most important.

Please pray with me:  As Abraham and Martha opened their homes, may we too open our

hearts and minds to the holy Word. Amen.

Mary and Martha lived with their brother Lazarus in the town of Bethany. Jesus would

occasionally stay in their home when He was in Judea.

Bethany was located on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives on the road linking

Jerusalem to Jericho. It was just over a mile and a half from Jerusalem, or about a half

hour's walk. So, it was a convenient place for Jesus and His fellow Galileans to stay when

visiting Jerusalem for a feast day or on some other occasion.  Bethany was also close to

the garden of Gethsemane.  Which we know from later in Luke (chapter 22) was a

favorite retreat for Jesus.

Martha was probably the owner of the house.  In Aramaic Martha means "lady of the

house."  And it is Martha who welcomes Jesus into the home.  But Jesus was not by

himself.  At the beginning of Luke Jesus sends 72 disciples ahead of him.  It is likely that

he had quite an entourage traveling with him.

Thus after inviting Jesus in, Martha busies herself in the kitchen while her sister Mary,

(which in Greek means "wise woman") abandons the preparations to sit at the feet of

Jesus.  This is a particularly significant phrase, because Jewish disciples sat at the feet of

their chosen rabbis or teachers.  The same word is used by Paul in Acts 22 v. 3, when he

says he was "brought up  . . . at the feet of Gamaliel".

Luke may be commenting on the role of women as leaders in the early Christian house

churches.  He is intimating that Mary is a disciple, and as such her behavior is to be

emulated.

However, in later generations, when men controlled all the chief positions of authority in

the church, they could not understand this attitude of Jesus as expressed in his words to

Martha and Mary.  The result is a great variety of interpretations and mistranslations.

Theologians of the early church depict Mary as and example of the contemplative life,

and Martha of the active, less spiritual life.  Therefore women (as well as men) were

called to the full discipleship through a completely contemplative life.

St. Augustine saw Martha as a symbol of this world and Mary as a symbol of the world to

come.

An anti-Jewish polemic claimed that Martha represented salvation by the law and Mary

salvation by faith, which replaced it.  A similar interpretation was widely held during the

Reformation by Protestants, who saw Mary as symbolizing justification by faith and

Martha the Catholic view of salvation by works.

A popular modern interpretation holds that the story tells women that they need to

balance their homemaking duties with their religious responsibilities as Christians, such

as devoting time to prayer and Bible study.  A contemporary variation says that women

should balance both careers and home responsibilities with their spiritual lives.

Rather than focus on the role of women in the church, I would instead like to turn your

attention to what the roles of Mary and Martha can teach us about our own discipleship as

Christians (men and women a like).

Martha "opens her home" and provides hospitality to Jesus.  Just as Abraham invites the

three strangers into his home.

Martha and Mary recognize Jesus as more than a teacher. They both use the word Lord

when addressing him.  The word they likely used is "Mari" – ('my lord' in Aramaic).  In

Jesus' time, Lord was coming into use as a title of respect to address those with authority,

such as rabbis.  The use of the title Lord recognizes Jesus as a great teacher and

charismatic prophet.

However, The two women respond very differently to this recognition. Martha becomes

distracted by her many tasks. The Greek word translated as "distracted" means literally

"to be pulled from all directions."  While the phrase "getting everything ready" (or "by

much serving" if you're reading from the NRSV), or ("many tasks" in the version read

today) is derived from the Greek word "diakonia" which generally means women's work,

but can also mean service or ministry.  Luke uses the same word later in chapter 22 v.27

when Jesus tells his disciples, "I am among you as one who serves."  John also uses the

word diakonia in chapter 13 when he describes Jesus washing the disciples feet.

So, Martha is distracted by her ministry.  The same kind ministry that Jesus has

extolled as a virtue.

Mary in contrasts sits at the feet of Jesus with the other disciples.  Although, interestingly

left out of most English translations is the Greek word "kai", which is used to call

attention to something unusual or unexpected.  Thus the passage can be read, "Mary

also," or, "even Mary sat at the feet of Jesus."  Mary is undaunted by social convention,

appearances or good manners.  She is not concerned that she will be considered a bad

host.  She sits at the feet of her Lord to listen.

When Martha comes to Jesus. The Greek word connotes not simply "to stand near or by,"

but also carries the idea of "standing over" or even to "oppose."  There is a sense that

Martha is opposing what Jesus and Mary are doing.  She asks Jesus to send Mary away

from him to help her with the chores.

Jesus responds sympathetically, replying, "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."  There are two versions or this phrase in the Greek.

One reads, "few things are needed, or one."  The other reads: "one thing is needed."

Jesus is still talking about Martha's work of service, but scholars differ in their

interpretation.  Some think that Jesus is saying, "a big feast is not needed; a simple meal

of only a few dishes, or even only one, will be sufficient."  Others think that he was

referring to one spiritual goal.

Alycee McKenzi, a professor of Homiletics at Perkins School of Theology points out that

the two versions can work together here.  A simpler meal would have left Martha time

and energy to hear Jesus' teachings.  Realizing that one dish, or only a few are necessary

could have enabled Martha to focus on the one thing that is necessary spiritually.

But, Martha is so anxious about her service to her Lord that she does not hear his

teaching.  Jesus is encouraging Martha to change her priorities.  While preparing a

meal is important, it should not prevent her from hearing his words.

The story encourages us to examine our own priorities as individuals and as a church.  As

a church we are committed to witnessing our faith through ministry.  But ministry

without taking time to be in the presence of the divine can become a distraction.  And, we

can become anxious and doubtful when we do not take the time to dwell in the presence

of our Lord.  Do we as a church become distracted and anxious about our ministry?  Do

our concerns about what others will think prevent us from being where we should be as a

church?  Do our self-imposed obligation of service drain us to the point where we are

unable to become inspired in the presence of our Lord?

When we gather together as our church, like Martha and Abraham we welcome the

divine into our midst.  But even now, like Martha, do the concerns of your daily lives

prevent you from sitting at His feet? Are you preoccupied with getting everything ready?

Do the mundane concerns of preparing the meal after church, or the activities planned

later in the day - intrude upon this holy time? Are you distracted by your fears, doubts,

anger, or anxiety?  Is it preventing you from experiencing the divine presence in our

midst?

Rachel and I were talking about this over dinner (or at least trying to between the girls

chatter, dropped forks and requests for more soy milk).  Rachel proposed an experiment:

what would happen if for one day (or even just one decision) our only concern was to be

closer to the divine.  What would that look like in your life?  What would it look like in

the church?

If you haven't already, close your eyes.  Take a deep breath and relax. Prepare yourself to

be present at the table of our Lord as we share holy communion.  With each breath, cast

off your anxiety. Release your worries, your doubts, your resentment, your pain - come

and sit at the feet of your Lord.  Become truly present in this moment and experience the

presence of the divine here in our midst.  – Amen

I asked that we have the passing of the peace after the sermon because I wanted to share

something that Kiran said to me after church a few weeks ago.  She was telling me about

how she enjoyed saying "Peace of Christ be with you" with the big kids at the end of the

service, and as we were talking I realized that she understood the words to mean " a piece

of Christ be with you."  I love this idea of taking a piece of Christ with us as we go out

into the world.  And as I was writing the sermon, I thought about how you cannot take a

piece of Christ with you unless you first welcome Christ and invite him in.  As we pass

the peace today – may we all share a piece of Christ.  And after inviting Christ into our

hearts may we sit at the feet of our Lord and experience the holy presence of the divine.

A piece of Christ be with you.