But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her

 

 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sad at Jesus' feet and heard His word.  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me."   And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

 

- Luke 10:38–42 

 

 Yesterday we read that a certain lawyer stood up and tested Jesus, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"  He said to him, "What is written in the law?  What is your reading of it?"  So he answered and said, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.'"  And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live."  But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"  Then Jesus answered and said:  "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  Now by chance a certain priest came down that road.  And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was.  And when he saw him, he had compassion.  So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.'  So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?"  And he said, "He who showed mercy on him."  Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."   

 

  Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sad at Jesus' feet and heard His word.  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me."   And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."   We know from John's Gospel that Martha and Mary are the sisters of Lazarus, whom Christ raised from the dead (John 11:1).  My study Bible explains here that Martha is not rebuked for serving, but for being distracted, worried, and troubled about many things, even as she was providing hospitality for Jesus.  But the one thing that was needed was for her to listen to Christ, to hear His words, a priority which does not exclude serving Him.   In following Christ, it explains, we serve in order to facilitate the spread of the gospel (see Acts 6:1-4).

As we have observed in various places, hospitality is something very highly praised in the history of Christianity and also in Jewish tradition.  If we look at the story of the woman who anointed Christ's feet with oil (see this reading), Jesus complains of the lack of hospitality shown Him by His host, the Pharisee who asked Jesus to dine with Him.  The great love of the woman, a known sinner who anointed His feet with oil, was praised and even shown as an example of the great hospitality that the Pharisee lacked.  But if we look at these two stories, we see a similar thread that has to do with the place in which we hold Christ -- and through Christ, of course, His teachings and commandments, and the place of God in our lives.  This is where we really need to start to define all priorities, even what love is and how we live love.  This is what Mary is doing, despite Martha's great efforts at hospitality for the Lord.  She sits at His feet -- the same feet bathed and anointed with perfumed oil as well as the sinful woman's tears -- paying close attention to what is that good part, which will not be taken away from her.  In Monday's reading, Jesus taught about the rigors and demands of discipleship, and we were given examples of those who asked to honor family duties before following Christ as disciples.  One said to Christ, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."  Another asks of Him, "Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house."  But both of Christ's responses to what sound like very reasonable requests, no doubt, to hearers of the Gospel then, and now, are almost shockingly negative, and sound harsh.  He says to the first, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God."  To the second He replies, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."  There is an important common theme here about what the top priority is, what comes first that defines all else, including necessity.  It is these relationships in the Kingdom that come first, and that define all other relatedness as priority.  If we find that complicated and difficult, let us consider yesterday's reading, above, in which the two greatest commandments in the Law, as approved by Jesus, are in this order: "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind," and "your neighbor as yourself."  This is a definition of how priorities and "right-relatedness" are settled.  We begin with love of God, and within that umbrella comes love of neighbor.  That is, how we are to love our neighbor.  Everything else is defined from this, for, as God is love, so we may learn love, appropriately, from God.  Love is not slavery nor slavish devotion to custom, but putting God first assures us that we will be guided in the proper way to honor what is meant to be honored by hospitality, for example, or family devotion.  In today's reading, Jesus does not seek to tear apart the tradition of hospitality, nor the relationship between the sisters!  But He is setting down a priority, and protecting Mary's devotion to God, putting the word of God first, that "good part, which will not be taken away from her."  We are reminded of Jesus' response to the devil during His temptation in the wilderness, when He quoted from Deuteronomy as rebuke:  "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4; Deuteronomy 8:3).  Here, Mary is not shirking duty, nor sisterly affection, nor the duties of hospitality, but is rather listening to every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.  In that, she has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.  Let us go and do likewise, allowing Christ's words to inform our lives, habits, customs, and choices.  For the Lord's word is that which remains and will not be taken away, even when heaven and earth pass away (Mark 13:31).

Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her

 

 

Saints Martha and Mary - late Russian icon - found at this site

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me."  And Jesus' answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her." 

 - Luke 10:38–42 

 

 Yesterday we read that a certain lawyer stood up and tested Jesus, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"  He said to him, "What is written in the law?  What is your reading of it?"  So he answered and said, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.' "  And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live."  But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"  Then Jesus answered and said:  "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  Now by chance a certain priest came down that road.  And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was.  And when he saw him, he had compassion.  So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.'  So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?"  And he said, "He who showed mercy on him."  Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."  

 

 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me."  And Jesus' answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."   My study bible reminds us that Mary and Martha are the sisters of Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead (see John 11).  Martha is not rebuked for serving, but for complaining and for being distracted, worried, and troubled.  In following Christ, my study bible says, we serve in order to facilitate the spread of the Gospel (see Acts 6:1-4).

The struggle between these two sisters of quite different temperaments is rather typical, and can easily be recognized by anyone who has ever dealt with such dynamics.  The two sisters' characters are quite consistent across the Gospels, but perhaps most clearly delineated in their difference in today's reading.  In the various stories we have of them, Martha is the one concerned with hospitality, with the social customs of how one treats and welcomes guests.  Mary is the more retiring sister.  In the story of the raising of Lazarus, in John 11, it is Mary who observes the Jewish customs of mourning, sitting in the house, and Martha who goes out to meet Christ as He approaches their home.  But this story, included in Luke's Gospel, not only tells us about this distinction regarding the two sisters, it tells us something important about the women followers and friends of Jesus.  This family is clearly special to Jesus.  They are His good friends, and that includes all three siblings:  Martha, Mary, and Lazarus.  The inclusion of this story of the sisters, first of all, tells us something about Jesus' women followers, and that they are significant in His ministry.  If women were not important to this ministry, this story would not be in the Gospels.  Martha's complaint, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me" is a familiar one to me.  It is typical of home life, but also important within Church life.  So often the roles for women within the Church have tended to be those of hospitality, mirroring traditional roles in society.  But Mary shows us a spiritual depth that is not necessarily typical, for either men or women.  It shows us a focus on an internal life of the heart and soul that disrupts -- in this particular sense in today's reading -- the normal social life and the customs of the period, of her time and place.  I personally do not see a challenge here between different personality types in these sisters, normal enough in any time and place.  But what makes Mary distinctive is her focus on the word of God, and that this takes precedence for her over everything else.  Let us note that Jesus' emphasis, in His reply to Martha, isn't on her concerns and efforts of hospitality and serving per se.  These are always worthy and reflective of notions of charity and grace.  But what Jesus does focus on is her anxiety, and that she is worried and troubled about many things.  Once again, this focus on anxiety and worry is not a strange theme in the Gospels, but one that Jesus has touched upon already in His preaching.  He did so in a very beautifully illustrated and elaborate sermon in this reading, in which He taught to "seek the kingdom of God."  We might want to take a look at Mary and notice that her singular focus -- that is, her prioritized focus -- is solely on what Jesus calls "that good part."  Martha is focused on many things, but Mary has placed her attention on the "one thing" that is  "needed."  Both of these women love Jesus and both are His dear friends.  But Mary is focused on the one thing that is necessary, and Jesus will not deprive her of that good part.  Possibly we can infer into the text that Mary reflects a type of deep confidence which comes from this dwelling in her faith.  This is not the kind of thing normally referred to as "confidence" in the social world, but rather it is something that anchors us within a framework of belief, of taking confidence within that good part of seeking the Kingdom, something much greater than ourselves.  And it is there that Mary is anchored, even to the point of breaking social custom by sitting at Jesus' feet and hearing His word, even while her sister is distracted with much serving.  Let us look to the sisters and remember this depth of the heart, a focus on faith despite distractions and worries and troubles about many things.  It is the place from which we may draw a quiet confidence, a strength, and a priority on that good part, which shall not be taken away from us.  Mary and Martha were both essential to Jesus' ministry as good friends of Christ.  There is a beautiful story from the Desert Monks about two men who devoted themselves to Christ, each very wealthy.  One gave away all his wealth and became a monk, living in dedicated contemplation and prayer, fasting and silence.  The other decided to build a monastery where he could receive all who came and feed and clothe and minister to them.  An elder was asked which one chose the better way, the one who gave away all hus possessions or the one who kept his wealth?  The elder replied that both were equal and full of merit, as the whole conduct of each was to God, and all they did was done for God, with upright intention.  Therefore since the aim of each was the same, each way was of equal merit before God.  It is the "good part" which must be our focus, and from there God places us as God has gifted us to serve with grace.

 

 

Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her

 

 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard his word.  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me."  And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

 

- Luke 10:38-42 

 

Yesterday we read that a certain lawyer stood up and tested Jesus, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"  He said to him, "What is written in the law?  What is your reading of it?"  So he answered and said, "'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.'"  And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live."  But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"  Then Jesus answered and said, "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  Now by chance a certain priest came down that road.  And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was.  And when he saw him, he had compassion.  So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.'  So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?"  So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.'  So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?"  And he said, "He who showed mercy on him."  Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

 

 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard his word.  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me."  And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."    As we remember especially from John's Gospel, Mary and Martha are the sisters of Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead (John 11).   In each encounter in the Gospels with these sisters, we see distinct understanding of personality and character.   These two sisters and their brother are beloved friends to Jesus.  My study bible comments that Martha is not rebuked by Jesus for serving, but rather for complaining and being distracted, worried, and troubled.   Through following Christ, it says, we serve in order to facilitate the spread of the gospel (see Acts 6:1-4).  

The most interesting thing about the stories involving Martha and Mary is possibly how different these sisters are, and how each is essential.  While it is clear that Mary is certainly protected and loved by Christ because of her deep love of the gospel message, Martha is equally necessary to the full picture of what it takes for the Kingdom to be present in the world.  In all the stories involving these sisters, Martha is the one conscious of performing the duties of hospitality, whether that be here, or when their brother Lazarus has passed and she goes out to greet Christ as He approaches their home, while Mary sits inside performing the duties of mourning (John 11:20-32).  But when Jesus refers to that "good part" and the "one thing" that "is needed," He affirms that Mary's devotion is an example to all.  That is, she is living the call of the first great commandment which Jesus mentioned in yesterday's reading:  "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind" (Deuteronomy 6:5).  She puts this first.   We might say that Martha's hospitality exemplifies the second great commandment that Jesus names; that is, to love "your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18).  But we must go back to the story of Martha and Mary with their brother Lazarus to understand Jesus' emphasis here, that without a love of God in our hearts, we will little understand how to love neighbor as oneself.  For it is God who is love, and God who must teach us how to love (1 John 4:8).  The proclamation of the gospel is precisely one of this restoration of communion which renews all things.   It is within the power of that grace that we receive a transcendent realization that reconciles all within itself.  Right now in this world hateful war rages, genocidal crimes are committed upon civilians.  How will such things be reconciled?   There is always need for the power of God which reaches beyond what we understand and know on worldly terms.  Let us not be afraid even under such circumstances to call upon that "good part" which shall not be taken away from Mary.  We, like Martha, can be worried and troubled about many things.  But there is one "good part," through all things, which we must choose for ourselves.  Ironically, it is the one thing that cannot be taken away from us, for He has affirmed that He will lose none of what is given to Him from the Father (John 6:39).  

But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me."  And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

- Luke 10:38-42

Yesterday we read that a certain lawyer stood up and tested Jesus, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"  He said to him, "What is written in the law?  What is your reading of it?"  So he answered and said, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.'  And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live."  But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"  Then Jesus answered and said:  "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  Now by chance a certain priest came down that road.  And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was.  And when he saw him, he had compassion.  So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  On the next day, when he departed, he took our two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.'  So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?"  And he said, "He who showed mercy on him."  Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me."  And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."  Mary and Martha are the sisters of Lazarus, whom Jesus raised from the dead (John 11:1-44).   They live at Bethany, to the east of Jerusalem.  My study bible notes that Jesus does not rebuke Martha for serving; these are the duties of hospitality, which, throughout the stories in the Gospels about these sisters, Martha takes responsibility for.  But Christ rebukes her rather for being distracted, worried, and troubled.   It adds that in following Christ, we serve in order to facilitate the spread of the gospel (see Acts 6:1-4).

I quite love the story of Martha and Mary.  In all the narratives which involve these characters, we see the personality traits of both.  When Lazarus has died, it is Mary who sits inside the house, appropriate to mourning, while Martha greets Christ outside the home, appropriate to hospitality.   Today's reading, as far as any other story in the Gospels, is a story about faith itself.  Martha is worried and troubled and distracted; she is busy with the serving duties of hospitality.  But Mary sits at Christ's feet, listening and hearing His word.  One presumes He is with all of His disciples as well, who travel with Him toward Jerusalem, and also that there are others who sit and hear Him, including, of course, their brother Lazarus.   Jesus calls Mary's sitting and hearing His word "that good part."  What is it to have faith but to sit at Jesus' feet and hear His word?  In prayer, we seek this kind of communion, a dialogue, to hear His word in response to our prayer.  Faith itself is sitting and listening at Jesus' feet, to hear His word.  It is in this way that we attend worship services, in this way we read and hear the Scriptures, His word in the Gospels and throughout the Scriptures.  Mary is expressing faith, in one of the purest ways that we can find in the Gospels.  She brings us to the place where we serve to begin with:  we seek to serve Christ and the purposes of faith.  It brings us home to the understanding of the power of faith -- that our good works are meant to shore up and to express this basic reality of a true connection to Creator, to Christ.  We can make a list of our achievements and good works, but faith is that secret or "hidden" thing, where we meet our God who is in the secret place and who sees in secret (Matthew 6:6), and where we find that good part, our most basic and true need that forms substance which touches everything else.  In John's Gospel, Jesus teaches the crowds who have followed Him after the feeding of five thousand in the wilderness, "Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him" (John 6:27).  The people ask Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?"  Jesus replies to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent" (John 6:29).  There is no plainer statement about the power and importance of faith, that Christ calls it the work of God.  In our modern world, we tend to place great emphasis on abstraction.  That is, we abstract out the good things that we're given through faith, and particularly through the Incarnation of Christ, and we tend to build our lives on that basis -- and leave out this mysterious part called faith, which Jesus says is the true work of God.  We may read the parable of the Good Samaritan (see yesterday's reading, above) and think that it is simply teaching us about good works and the necessary practice of mercy.  But there is so much more to the parable we don't understand, because we don't see with the eyes of faith set out in the early Church; we fail to understand the Samaritan is Christ, and how much we need what He offers to us, which is only found through that good part of simply sitting at His feet and hearing His word, through the work of God which is faith itself.  It is faith that offers to us the way to live our lives, and faith that sets out purpose, principle, and most especially substance that sets our perspective in order, gives us courage (see the times Jesus reassures and encourages His followers with the command "Be of good cheer").  It is faith that must guide us, especially in the times when we seem to fail, when all our good works just don't seem to be enough to fill whatever it is we're trying to make of ourselves in life.  Those are the times when the lack we feel can be plainly seen as "that good part" that Mary chooses for herself, that thing we need that underlies and girds and adds foundation and substance and structure to everything else, the rock upon which we can build a life that realistically anticipates the rains and floods and winds we're going to encounter in life, when our plans and works fall through, or we find circumstances not completely in our control.  The real challenge Christ offers us is living a life of faith, sitting at His feet and hearing His word.  All the plans and works in the world will not necessarily prepare us for difficulty, adversity, and disappointment -- but faith can see us through and give us the good part that sustains and never fails, which cannot be taken away, even in the times when we disappoint ourselves (Mark 16:7).  It is the one thing needed.

Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her

 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me."  And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

- Luke 10:38-42

Yesterday we read that a certain lawyer stood up and tested Jesus, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"  He said to him, "What is written in the law?  What is your reading of it?"  So he answered and said, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.'"  And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live."  But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"  Then Jesus answered and said:  "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  Now by chance a certain priest came down that road.  And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was.  And when he saw him, he had compassion.  So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.'  So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among thieves?"  And he said, "He who showed mercy to him."  Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me."  And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."  In the stories of Martha and Mary, we find a great consistency in the depiction of their characters.  Both are essential to the story of Jesus and His ministry, both beloved by Christ as friends, along with their brother Lazarus.  It is Lazarus whom Jesus raised from the dead (John 11).  My study bible makes clear here that Martha isn't rebuked by Jesus for serving.  Rather He rebukes her for complaining and for being distracted, worried, and troubled.  In following Christ, my study bible tells us, we serve in order to facilitate the spread of the gospel (see Acts 6:1-4).

What can we make of Mary's act of sitting at Jesus' feet and hearing His word?  We suppose that she is sitting there along with the men who are Jesus' disciples and have come to hear the famous Teacher speak.  Her sister's complaint is that Mary has left Martha to do all the serving herself, in a busy household of a rather prominent family as we gather from the Gospels, who is hosting their friend Jesus.  We can read Psalm 99, and understand that Mary is in fact doing just as the Psalm proclaims we should do:  "Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His footstool— He is holy" (verse 5).  In Luke chapter 9, we've read about the cost of discipleship:  nothing stands between the call to Christ and the gospel message, not even responsibilities to family.  Jesus says to one who wishes to go home and bury his father, "Let the dead bury their own dead."  He says to another who wishes to return home to say good-bye first, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."  The call to discipleship takes priority, and Mary is answering that call.  Both Mary and Martha are recorded in the Gospels are those who form a core group of women essential to the ministry of Jesus.  They form deep bonds with Jesus, who weeps with them when their brother dies.   We must recall also Mary's anointing of Jesus, which He says is in preparation for His burial (John 12:1-8).   Each of these stories that have been given to us illuminate something of the character and devotion of this woman, for whom His Person, His message, His ministry is clearly paramount, primary to whatever else is happening in her life.  The two sisters form a core set piece of the lives of women; the duties belonging to social and daily life are juxtaposed against a deep devotion to the word of God, the "good part" that Mary has chosen.  Both are necessary and good, but we may see in the story a parallel for women that is equal to the demands of discipleship as expressed to the men called by Christ to "Follow Me."  Luke gives us a depth of true devotion expressed by Mary, consistent with what we know of her character, and returned in the compassion and love of Christ for both sisters.  In a time when the roles of women and men were far more segregated than many of us understand now, the Gospels teach us, through these sisters and others, not only the essential roles of women in the society, but the deeply meaningful and compelling nature of faith for all.  We must pause, however, to consider that no matter what differences we may think there are between Mary and Martha's time and ours, we still take pride in and make a priority of hospitality and our homes -- at times to distraction, worry, and trouble.  That Mary has chosen "that good part," which engages her mind, body, and soul, elevates all of us to the role of disciple, on no uncertain terms.

Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her

 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me."  And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

- Luke 10:38-42

Yesterday, we read that a certain lawyer stood up and tested Jesus, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"  He said to him, "What is written in the law?  What is your reading of it?"  So he answered and said, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.'"  And He said to him, "You have answered rightly; do this and you will live."  But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?"  Then Jesus answered and said:  "A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.  Now by chance a certain priest came down that road.  And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.  Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side.  But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was.  And when he saw him, he had compassion.  So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.'  So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?"  And he said, "He who showed mercy on him."  Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."

 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word.  But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone?  Therefore tell her to help me."  And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.  But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."  Martha and Mary are the sisters of Lazarus (John 11).  The entire family is beloved by Christ and are His close friends.  My study bible says that Martha is not rebuked for serving, but for complaining and being distracted. worried, and troubled.    In following Christ, it notes, we serve in order to facilitate the spread of the gospel (see Acts 6:1-4). 

For me, this gospel story of Martha and Mary reflects somewhat on Jesus' earlier teaching about discipleship.  In Monday's reading, there is the story about various people who come to Christ and wish to be disciples.  Jesus calls one person, saying, "Follow Me."  But he replies, "Lord let me first go and bury my father."  Jesus replies, "Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God."  Another tells Jesus, "Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house."   Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."  Martha is doing the necessary work of hospitality, a character trait that remains consistent in the stories of her in this Gospel and also in John.  The would-be disciples who wished to follow Christ (in Monday's reading) were also seeking to do something nominally "good" in their requests of Jesus.  But Christ places a kind of value on the Kingdom and its service that gives a weight and a measure of priority.  In some sense, it's similar to when He tells Martha that "Mary has chosen that good part."  It's not that the rest of these things are bad.  And Martha is playing her part in serving the ministry of Jesus.  But Mary chooses for herself something of great value, of the highest good, and it will not be taken away from her -- Martha's complaints notwithstanding.  In a certain sense, Jesus' words allude to a kind of intrinsic value that becomes a part of Mary, which will not be taken away from her, like the "treasures in heaven" that come as a result of our choices.   My study bible is clear that Martha's work is good, but the problem is that she is distracted, worried, and troubled.  Perhaps there is an emphasis here on our choices and mission.  What we may find set before us to do in His name, or for the gospel, may be simple and straightforward.  It becomes a direct focus.  The distractions and worries and troubles get in the way of such a focus.  Jesus will give clear direction to St. Peter when, at the end of John's Gospel, Peter is three times given a command by Christ.  Peter then asks what John should do, and is told to keep his mind focused on his own work for the kingdom, Christ's command for him (John 21:21-22).  What Jesus asks of John is really not Peter's business, in the same sense that Mary's good part will not be taken away by Martha's worrying.  The key here seems to be simplicity, a true focus on what is before us to do.  Our lives may be guided by our own particular work for this Kingdom; whether that is helping as did the Samaritan in yesterday's parable above, serving those whom we are called to serve in our lives, or sitting at Christ's feet "listening."  Let us remember "that good part."