17 Jul SUNDAY, JULY 17, 2022
The gospel text says, “A woman named Martha welcomed Jesus and his disciples into her home.” In her mind, she was the responsible party, the primary cause of them being there. Only she would be eligible to receive credit or blame. After all, who else was in control over or took care of the house via their role or obligation? She was the doer, the one who made important decisions and understood the duties of maintaining a household. She was the responsible one who took initiative and organized what needed to happen.
How many people identify with Martha? I confess that I do. Poor Steve often hears the argument that willingness to take direction or go with a plan is not enough. I say that showing up takes minimal effort and leaves the burden of communication and arranging details to others, meaning me.
Those who serve selflessly in other ways sometimes feel this way, too. Getting your name on a plaque and credit for making things happen goes only so far. And it’s really a bummer when sacrifice to serve the common good results in criticism or blame. And in today’s gospel reading, Jesus seems to find fault with Martha. Let’s look at the first reading to gain insight.
Like Martha, Abraham considers that visitors need an invitation. They also need food and rest. Like Martha, Sarah baked and prepared food, putting out cheese curds and drinks. How many of you keep a clean house in case company comes? For me, having company is an occasion to clean. My guests either get one or the other, a clean house or a meal, most likely not both.
Whenever a good time equates to hanging out, somebody has to work before or after to make it happen. Nothing comes together on its own, not even church. People have to make decisions, set things in place and work. Even during the service, liturgy is defined as the work of the people. It does involve showing up and participating, not just hanging out. Taking part is as necessary and important as every act of preparation.
What does Jesus mean by telling Martha that she’s worried and distracted by many things? Wasn’t she the one who thought to invite him and his gang in the first place? Surely, she deserved to be seen for the good she aimed to do. How could he say Mary had chosen the BETTER part? There was work to be done and Martha wanted some help. What about her needs?
Think about it. When we protest, complain or insist that our needs are not being met, Jesus replies, saying our name twice. He mentions what he observes about us, not to criticize, but to acknowledge that he sees how we think and feel. He knows how responsible minds work. How they always think about what needs doing and what others need. How they sometimes resent burdens placed upon them or the fact that not everyone acts responsibly.
Jesus’ observation is meant to guide Martha to an act of discernment which literally means perceiving without judgment. In the Christian context, an act of discernment means viewing a situation with one goal: to obtain spiritual guidance and understanding (definition by Oxford Languages and Google).
Jesus was not discounting Martha’s orientation, he was offering to include her in a session of spiritual guidance which would further her understanding. He was encouraging her to lean in a new direction, to be present and deal with what and who surrounded her differently. How often we confuse the who and the what, thinking that needs are met through what we do, that we will be judged by what we do more than any other measure.
Many responsible people suffer fear of being left alone to handle it all, fear of being rejected if we make our needs known or ask for help. The gospel or good news is in God’s desire to spend time with us. The story’s told like this: Jesus went on his way and came to a certain village where Martha lived. He’d already planned to visit. It just so happened that she invited him. He knew Mary would sit at his feet and listen. He wanted to invite Martha, too.
As a child, I visited my grandmother who I called Bubba. She lived happily in only two rooms. The kitchen was full of table and chairs, but she preferred a rocker next to a window in her bedroom. In that room, there was nowhere else to sit where I could face her. So I literally sat at her feet. Other guests were entertained and fed from her kitchen, I was entertained and fed there.
Not once did she ask for help preparing meals or doing chores. What she really wanted was an interested enthusiastic person willing to hold her stories, accept spiritual guidance and grow in understanding. Whenever someone you love makes an observation or asks questions, they are really inviting you to accept what they offer.
My grandmother, like Jesus, owned almost nothing, but was full of spiritual guidance and understanding, wisdom about survival and family, about what it was like to live in a land invaded by a foreign power, to care for small children without a husband, travel to America, lose a twelve-year-old to TB, and survive a deadly smog.*(see below)
Her daughter, my Aunt Elizabeth, learned from her mom to never worry or be distracted by tasks. If she was cooking as we visited, we would still talk. Past midnight and into the wee hours, after telling us, “Goodnight,” she would pin curl her hair and read the Bible. I think she knew that all these things were necessary to spiritually grow and enhance life.
Work, then play, or work just enough to buy time, so you can pay attention to the people at hand. Jesus worked, but also spent lots of time visiting and talking. He knew how to keep his tasks in mind while inviting people to draw near. He practiced emotional intimacy and allowed people close physical access, as close as his own hands and feet.
He represents both Martha and Mary. He wants both to enjoy a time of good company. He wants everyone to hear his words and not be distracted by tasks or concerned about who’s doing what. “Let the children come to me; forbid them not,” Jesus says in Matthew 19:14. Do not deprive anyone of the chance to connect and be present in the moment.
The Bible is by and large, consistent. When it comes to work, let everyone pitch in, or else offer what you have so God can multiply it. Sometime this week, hear Jesus say your name twice. In silence, imagine what words follow. They will be words that show his careful observation of you. They will offer assurance and remind you what’s really important.
Identify yourself as a servant like Abraham. He models a godly response to the presence of strangers. He regards their visit a privilege and an opportunity to provide for their needs. He runs and offers water for bathing, shade for rest and comfort. He entices them to stay for bread, then serves cake, a calf, curds and milk. He stands with them as they eat.
According to Psalm 15, one who speaks truth from their heart does what is right. Martha spoke truth by saying she needed help. That was okay. But slandering her sister, hinting she was irresponsible was not. To do evil or cast discredit is not right. Don’t take back your word or give money in hope of gain. Never place bets against the innocent.
Not only Jesus, but those whom God has placed among us are the image of the invisible God: siblings who disappoint and strangers in need. We could be gracious and offer more of all things created through him and for him. Because in him all things hold together. That’s why Christ is to have first place in everything. A fundamental message, not meant to be strict or literal, but for our good.
All the fullness of God was pleased to dwell in Christ. Through him all things are reconciled on earth and in heaven. Humans are presented holy and blameless, irreproachable, beyond criticism or fault. That means no one throws shade, not Martha, us or Jesus. There is merely a statement given. Don’t shift your focus from the hope promised toward worry or distraction. Give what has been provided: food, water, a place of rest, and shade for comfort.
Abraham, Sarah, Paul and Martha model periods of suffering servanthood, of waiting. Along with them, Mary and Jesus model the joy of being present in the flesh for the sake of others and our own sakes. Every faithful endeavor offered is rewarded by knowing God and each other better. So, I ask, “What particular function are you charged with for God’s sake?
What instruction, command or duty is yours? Could it look different than what you think? Perhaps, Like Martha, you leave the kitchen and do something else. Perhaps you find time to sit and listen, come to know God or another person more fully, so you can make God or that other person more fully known. See in others and be for yourself, the image of the invisible God.
What Jesus and Paul were saying is:
“There’s great mystery and hope, glory and wisdom
in learning from each other, in extending grace,
in acting mature so we can become mature.”
Not just mature in the sense that we are responsible,
but fully developed, growing in place
to become all that God envisioned.
We are promised to become more than we could ever produce.
Let us pray. Jesus, here we are, servants at your feet, grandchildren at your knee, brothers and sisters in your image, seeking spiritual guidance and understanding. Help us to see and listen to wisdom offered, to follow models of biblical character, to recognize opportunities to take time away from busy-ness or make time to serve. Make use of our natural tendencies or grow us in the direction we need to go. Thank you for inviting us to draw near, practice emotional intimacy and allow people as close as our own hands and feet. In your holy name we pray, Amen.