Seventh Pentecost
Luke 10:38-42
Our gospel lesson for today is one of my favorite stories of Jesus in the New Testament. This story hits the nail on the head for me as far as being about real life. Did I say that my sister and I were Mary and Martha respectively? Did I mention that my sister Linda always came up with homework when it was time to set the table and always had something important to discuss when it was time to clear the dinner dishes? Intellectually I can admit that it's trivial to feel that way and yet if I give myself enough time I can generate a lot of negative feelings remembering the childhood pecking order. I feel Martha's aggravation when she says, "Do you not care that she has left me to do all the work by myself?" So I am perplexed by this story. I am perplexed that Jesus in the oh so condescending way chides Martha, "Martha, Martha you are worried and distracted by many things.
I'm not alone in my perplexity. Our gospel lesson for this morning is a perfect example of the conflicts and complexity of Biblical interpretation. The sisterly spat between Mary and Martha--and Jesus' rather direct intervention--has elicited more heat in Bible study groups than any other passage I know. And biblical scholars have pontificated for pages about what it really means.
Reformation scholars say that this story is really about salvation. Are we saved by faith (Mary) or are we saved by works (Martha)? Narrow-minded fundamentalists give us a different angle. They have suggested that it is an argument for the superiority of Christianity over Judaism--Martha representing the legalism of the Old Testament and Mary representing the liberating spirit of the New Testament. Mystics, also, have had a field day with this text--gloating over the fact that the active Martha is chastised for not imitating the contemplative lifestyle of her sister. And, last but not least, women's groups have agonized for years over what this story says about the proper role of women in the church. In one of the churches I served the members of the women's group hated this text because it seemed to disparage all the church suppers and bazaars and bake sales that they had faithfully organized to support valuable social ministries.
Recently a new commentary of the Bible has been published--a women's commentary. It is a compilation of the best in feminist scholarship and it takes a sharp look at all the traditional interpretations of scripture. The analysis in this commentary of the Mary and Martha story is fascinating. Looking generally at Luke's treatment of women, what these scholars have discovered is that although Luke's Jesus is more inclusive of women than any of the other gospels, the kind of women who are affirmed are all one brand. They are good, quiet, supportive, obedient women--like Mary who sits adoringly at Jesus' feet, her mouth shut, her spirit passive, her own energy submerged in Jesus'. Mary is in sharp contrast to Martha, who is active, verbal, assertive, and willful--the Martha whom Jesus rebukes. This women's commentary concludes that Luke's supposed "empowerment of women" is really not empowerment at all--but instead a subtle way of affirming pliant, passive, quiet women as the acceptable role model for the female half of Christianity. An interesting, and I believe, disturbing idea!
I suppose all these varied interpretations have some point to them, but to me they all miss the main point. This story cannot be taken out of its textual context--and it is important to remember that immediately preceding this episode, Luke has told us Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan--the classic tale that challenges us to embrace an active involved servant faith - that story that commands us to "Go and do likewise"--the story that validates Martha's active type of faith. The Bible, my friends, does not affirm a kind of either/or black and white understanding. The bible does not distinguish active discipleship from contemplative discipleship, Judaism from Christianity, assertive people from passive people. It is not a question of either/or--but rather a declaration of both/and. All of us are called to be part Mary and part Martha.
So then what is the point of this story? While I can't give you a definitive answer I'll tell you how I'm seeing it this July 18, 2004 and you can go home and think about how you understand it today.
I think this story is about hospitality. Now hospitality was an essential virtue in Biblical times. The bond between guest and host was sacred. The host was responsible for the safety and comfort of their guest. Hence we get those stories like our Old Testament lesson for today where Abraham promises a little bread and has Sarah cook up three loaves while he kills and cooks a fatted calf. I hope they weren't in a hurry. And you get stories about the man who wakes his neighbor in the middle of the night to get bread because unexpected guests have arrived. Hospitality is important! Hospitality in the Bible isn't simple politeness or courtesy it is a bedrock virtue of society.
So Martha's preparations aren't trivial. Her care and concern for the comfort and well being of her guest is expected. What I think this story takes on however is her view of hospitality. Maybe I'm over identifiying with Martha but I can't entertain at my house without having one good moment of melt-down. I love to entertain. I think it's fun to do all the little Martha Stewart touches, fruit frozen into the ice cubes, uniquely folded napkins, butter in the shape of hearts. But at some point in the preparations things pile up and I get irritated and I take it out on who ever is around. "Martha, Martha you are worried and distracted by many things." Who are you doing this for -your guest or yourself?
Genuine hospitality is not about you but about the guest. Hospitality is not geared toward making an impression but rather toward giving the guest space to relax and enjoy. And hospitality isn't only about dinner parties and entertaining. Hospitality is about how we live our lives, making room, creating space physically, emotionally and psychologically for the other person.
On evening this week I caught of portion of a dialogue between John Dean and Ralph Nader on the radio. The conversation was getting tense and while both parties were trying to maintain civility it was strained so the host said "I'm just going to take this another direction for a minute. Short answer questions, who's your favorite president yadda yadda yadda. Okay then if you were to give just two words of advice to each other what would it be? I don't remember what Ralph said but john Dean jumped right in.Two words "lighten up."
"Lighten up." That's what we'd like to communicate to all the Martha's out there. You're worried and distracted by many things. Forget about you. Focus instead on the other the guest. We have a good example for that.
In a few minutes we'll all be invited to the table. Jesus is the host. The repast is not sumptuous, just a little bread and wine. But the host for this meal is totally focused on you. He wants you to come just as you are, all you Mary's and Martha's and James and Georges with all your idiosyncrasies and faults and charms. He wants to listen to your story, hear about your week, all the successes and failures. He wants to laugh with you and if need be cry with you. This host will make space for you at his table and in his heart. And this host will not be distracted for to him you are all important, important enough to die for.
Amen