When I was volunteer coordinator at our hospital when we were awaiting the arrival of our first child I had the benefit of the women volunteers teaching me what they had learned from raising their children.I listened to every word.There are three pieces of instruction that I remember that lead my decision making day by day.We had three children in 3 years. I don’t know what I would have done had I not been given these helpful tips.
The first one is when the children take a nap, you nap. Put them all down at the same time every day.That is not the time to clean the house.An at home parent needs a break.
The second was don’t cry over spilled milk.It’s just milk.Just clean it up, and when they are old enough have them clean it up themselves.
The third - nothing is more important than spending time with your children.The house can wait; the children are little only once. The kids will remember if you played with them, they could care less if the place is picked up. (Now that they are all off to college – I had better get cleaning!)
Here in the Northwood’s, we might put it another way.There are times when we need to be mowing the lawn, tending the garden, going to work, and doing home repairs.And there are times for just sitting in the woods or getting out the boat or canoe to spend time on the water fishing.
When I read the story of Mary and Martha this is what I think of.Martha is concerned about the finite and Mary is concerned about the infinite.
I think that's the "better part" Jesus is talking about. He's not favoring Mary over Martha, and he's not lifting up one way of living the Christian life over another. Rather, he's inviting us to get caught up in the joy of being in his presence such that we forget, if only for a little while, the many tasks, all the usual worries and concerns, and simply be, “in Christ."
Last Sunday we talked about looking for Jesus in the story of the Samaritan who helps the hurting man along side of the road.This is the story that comes right before the story of Mary and Martha.In fact the words that come right before today’s reading are “Go and DO likewise.”So lest we think that Jesus is a proponent of neglecting the importance of hospitality and service to one another; well, that’s not the point of the argument that Mary and Martha are trying to get Jesus involved in before supper.
We were looking last week to who we would imagine Jesus to be in the story of the helpful Samaritan.It was hard to picture Jesus in the Priest or the Levite who didn’t stop to care for the person who was robbed, stripped, beaten and left for dead. Jesus teaches us; “What ever you do to the least of these, you do unto me.” The person we would most see Jesus in would be the broken person along side of the road.Jesus is teaching that we are precisely to put aside our personal wants and take time to help a person in need.Today’s Gospel isn’t about Mary or Martha. I see the story asking “Where does the motivation come that gives energy to what we do?”I believe that Jesus would have our mind focused on seeing Jesus’ presence amongst us.
Let’s get to know more about Mary and Martha.Both Mary and Martha and their brother Lazarus are close personal friends of Jesus.They were more than disciples.These are the people Jesus would stay with when he came to town.
Martha has a special place in this Gospel.She is the first person Jesus tells that he is the resurrection and the life. Jesus tells her; “Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who believes in me will never die.”And Martha responds with words of great faith “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one coming into the world.”This is the Martha we are speaking of.She is the first one to declare that Jesus is the Christ, the long awaited savior.
Now Mary is the Mary of Bethany who anoints Jesus’ feet with costly perfume just prior to the Passover meal which took place the day before he died.Mary is the one who understands that Jesus’ death is imminent when the disciples have other things on their minds, such as who of them was the greatest.
These are the two people we are talking about in today’s Gospel lesson.Yes, this is the typical family squabble about who works the hardest, but it is more than that.Mary is sitting at Jesus feet, lost in what Jesus is teaching, forgetting that the meal is being prepared.Her mind is focused on listening to Jesus teach about eternal life. Martha knows the meal has to be prepared if they are going to eat today.
Mary and Martha’s home was a favorite stopping place for Jesus.Martha is working in the kitchen, getting the meal ready for the many guests in their home.She is dealing with food, and lots of it.It seems that where ever Jesus goes, he is followed by disciples who are young strapping fishermen and tax collectors who know how to eat!
Mary got caught up in listening and learning from Jesus.Isn’t that what we are called to do, don’t you think it delights God for us to take time out to simply be still and bask in the solitude of sitting at Jesus’ feet.
I have known three people who have taken on the duty of caring for loved ones who are on hospice in their homes.I know this is just them, and not everyone, but a common theme among these three is that they confess that they don’t know if they could do this act of kindness for their loved one if they did not take time daily to bask in the love of God.One would get up at four in the morning and sit for an hour praying and meditating on the compassion of Jesus.
Another says she spends one hour each morning reading her devotional and Bible reflecting on where she sees Jesus in her day before she opens her door to the rest of the home and greets what is going to be on the other side each day.
The third one talks of moment by moment talking with Jesus for guidance in caring for the basic bodily needs of their parent.Sometimes when in a new and challenging situation she just sits down and listens quietly until God gives her insight into what to do next. She says confidently, “Somehow Jesus always shows up and I know what to do.”
Martha and Mary are both disciples of Jesus and much beloved friends.Both are being faithful in doing what is necessary.Martha at the moment has lost her focus on who she is serving and why she is doing what she is doing.Mary is focusing on the Teacher who instructing her on the kingdom of God and life everlasting.We need both in our lives. Time for ministering to one another through hard work and time for basking in the love of Jesus and studying how we are part of the kingdom of God.Both are needed.
