Both And

We’ve often approached the story of Mary and Martha as a lesson for women. Ladies, are you a Mary or a Martha or both? Granted, this famous episode in Luke is rare in that it features women, and places a woman in the posture of a disciple, that is, at the feet of the Teacher. But the story of Mary and Martha is not a story for women only.

In fact, its interpreters have often come to problematic conclusions about women. One traditional reading, for instance, sees Martha and Mary as archetypes or models[1]– the busy hostess on the one hand and the silent listener on the other– presuming that these are the two fundamental modes of women’s discipleship. Of course, this perspective effectively bars women from other legitimate roles, namely preaching, teaching, and community leadership. If this story featured Peter and John, however, no one would argue that it sets limits on the ways men should practice discipleship.[2]

No, the story of Mary and Martha is not a story for women only. Neither does it necessarily condemn Martha’s manner of receiving Jesus. “Mary has chosen the better part,” some have read simplistically to signify that prayerful attentiveness to God is innately superior to active service. Listening is “better” than serving, as the logic goes, contemplation is “better” than action.

The problem with such a reading is that Jesus’ visit to Mary and Martha follows on the heels of the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus’ most famous teaching about humble service. “[Who] was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” he asks, to which his interlocutor replies, “The one who showed him mercy.” You got it.[3] That is to say, faith becomes active in love; devotion to God finds its expression in service to others. It follows that Martha’s hospitality is exemplary in its own right, like the hospitality Abraham and Sarah offer the three heavenly visitors by the oaks of Mamre in today’s first reading from Genesis.

Side by side, the stories of the Good Samaritan and Mary and Martha promote complementary aspects of discipleship– both contemplation and action, both faith and love. It’s not either/or, so there’s no need to drive a wedge between the two.

But if Mary and Martha are not at odds with each other, then what are we to make of Jesus’ gentle critique? “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” Did you hear it? Martha’s problem is not her impulse to serve, but her anxious distraction; her heart isn’t in the wrong place, only her focus. Getting lost in the minutiae of hosting, in other words, Martha loses sight of her guest, and thus the purpose of discipleship in the first place– even as Martha calls Jesus “Lord,” she aims to get him on board with her agenda rather than getting on board with his.[4]

By contrast, Mary locks in with Jesus, sitting at his feet and taking in his every word. That doesn’t mean she neglects the more active aspects of discipleship. On the contrary, with her mind renewed and her resolve strengthened, Mary is even better equipped to walk in the way of the faithful servant. She has chosen the “better part,” or the “good,” as some translations have it, which is to say that Mary has retained a “connection to God who is good, the ground and energy of [all] effective action.”[5]

In a few moments, Ayla Olivia will be baptized, and I’ll ask her parents, Sarah and Michael, to make promises on her behalf, promises to “bring her to the word of God and the holy supper, teach her the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments, place in her hands the holy scriptures, and nurture her in faith and prayer.” Why? “So that Ayla may learn to trust God, proclaim Christ through word and deed, care for others and the world God made, and work for justice and peace.” Baptism initiates into the life of faith active in love– devotion to God and service to others.

Friends, both Mary and Martha are faithful; discipleship involves both attentiveness to Jesus and service in his name. The trick is not to miss the forest for the trees, or to become so preoccupied with our concerns that we lose sight of his presence and influence in our lives.

It’s not that our day-to-day activity is insignificant– quite the opposite. Rather, it’s a question of discernment and focus, of recognizing and receiving the truth as it presents itself amid the anxious distraction of our lives. So, given your present circumstances, reflect for a moment with me:

Where will you fix your attention?

Who will inform and energize your actions?

How will your life make a difference to the world God so loves?

[1] See Jane D. Schaberg and Sharon H. Ringe, Women’s Bible Commentary, 507.

[2] Matt Skinner, “Sermon Brainwave #672,” www.workingpreacher.org/brainwave.aspx?podcast_id=1165.

[3] Luke 10:36-37.

[4] See Joel B. Green, The Gospel of Luke, 437.

[5] John Shea, quoted by James A. Wallace, in Feasting on the Word, Year C, Vol. 3, 265-7.