Once again – visit this tender
story of Jesus with Martha and Mary. We know from John’s gospel that Jesus loved
Martha, Mary, and Lazarus – here, Luke may be telling us about the beginnings
that relationship. It is from John that we learn that this “certain village” is
Bethany.
To better understand the
dynamics of this scene it helps to have some understanding of the importance of
hospitality in the Jewish culture of this time. Hospitality to travelers was a
religious obligation – it was God’s way of caring for those who must travel. Hospitality
would include lodging, food, water for man and animals and to be given in as
spirit of welcome and genuine kindness. Luke does not tell us exactly who of
Jesus’ disciple may have joined him – but Martha clearly felt the pressure
facing her.
Those of you who have been the
hosts for major family gatherings know what it’s like. But remember, Martha
could not simply go to the freezer and fridge for what she will need, or call “Skip-the-Dishes.”
Preparations of food where new from scratch every day. But here is Mary, siting
at Jesus feet; a place only for disciples, a place that was not allowed for
women. Martha seeing her sister Mary neglecting her religious obligations of
hospitality, sitting among the men where she should not be, and leaving her to
do all the preparations complains to Jesus; “do you not care . . . tell her to
help me!” The way Jesus repeats Martha’s name no doubt was a tender expression.
But now for Martha and for all
Jesus’ disciples to come, a new obligation is given superseding all else – that
of devoted attention to every word that Jesus speaks. Recall Jesus’ response to
the Devil’s temptation in the desert: "It is written: 'Man shall not
live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Harvesting from the world’s abundant resources for our daily needs is a
real necessity. But to understand who provided them for us, what they are meant
for, and how to use them wisely and well must take priority. When people of
this world neglect to seek first the Wisdom from God, the negative consequences
will surely be evident in a disordered world – a reality quite evident in our
world today.
Here in the liturgy of the
Mass we have a perfect model laid out.
We come seeking the Lord our God. We listen attentively to the Wisdom of God revealed to us in the Liturgy of the Word We come to the Lord’s table to have or hearts transformed by entering into communion with the God’s Divine Will. We go forth, to invite others into this Divine hospitality of salvation by our service to them.
We come as Mary's' and we go
forth as Martha's'.
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