Gospel Reflections for July 17 2016
Do you like Martha, or Mary?
Today’s Gospel can start an argument. It describes two opposing ways of living our faith.
Jesus is a guest in the home of two sisters who act in very contrary ways. Martha is busy with the chores of hospitality while Mary is sitting quietly listening to Jesus. Which one is doing the right thing? Is Mary just lazy …or wise? Is Martha responsible …or just too busy?
This issue mirrors a problem in the early Church, and maybe even at your house today. Some early Christians thought that they should spend their entire day in quiet study, contemplation, and prayer, while others thought everyone should engage in active ministry in the world. Who is right?
Jesus actually does not take sides but transcends both activities with a profound teaching, and a warning to both sides. Neither action nor contemplation are valid unless each is done as a calling from God, and He wants both behaviors, although usually from different people, and maybe even at different times.
God does not chastise Martha for being industrious. We know this because there are just too many other examples in the Gospels of Jesus asking His followers to be very active. Yet He is concerned about her because of the nature of her request to Him. Anytime our prayer begins with the words, “Lord, what you need to do is….” Well, those are not the words of someone responding to Our Lord but telling Him what to do!
Both Mary and Martha are called to be responsible, in the original meaning of that word; to act in a way that is a “response” to a calling from God. Both action and contemplation are appropriate if we respond to His call and not just what we think we should do. Discerning that calling means making a wise judgment, that is also confirmed by other wise and faith filled people.
We can certainly ask God for special intentions, such as to heal a sick relative or ask for a better economy, but our prayer should always end with the words Our Lord Himself spoke in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before His crucifixion, “…not my will, but yours be done!”
For those who are active, you cannot see Martha as your friend and Mary as your enemy, and for those who are contemplative, you cannot see Mary as your friend and Martha as your enemy. It all depends on what God has called you specifically to do at this time that will help build the Kingdom of God.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
Image: Public Work of Art
A response that seems appropriate in light of your comments: “In life timing is everything!” Wives and mothers usually experience empathy with Martha. After all, those hungry apostles and followers of The Lord were undoubtedly waiting for some sustenance. Of course, your comments are right on track. Like the Rule of
St. Dominic (I think!): “Ora et labora”.
We just have to be sensitive to the Lord’s direction. Is it time to volunteer for Project Response, or should we partake in a few hours of prayer?
Bob and Rose Mary
You have surfaced the right question!
Wow! Father Dave, you hit this one out of the park!! I’ve heard many explanations on the story of Martha and Mary but this is the first one to really hit the true meaning of Our Lord’s teaching on this situation. I suspect many women have been frustrated over this~ taking sides for sure. I’m a “Martha,” thinking “someone” has to cook the food, get the work done. I’ve felt guilty and confused. Jesus said Mary chose the better part. I got that. But still I questioned, WHO was going to cook and feed everyone? Like many busy women getting their “responsibilities’ done, I forget to stop and playfully ask God for direction.. Thank you!
We hope you’re enjoying St. Rose of Lima. It was our parish for 40 years. You had to come after we had just moved to Laguna???? Ha! Ha!
Carol Fox
Thank you! I am glad you liked this reflection, and I hope it brings the right perspective between Martha and Mary. On July 1st, I moved to St. Bruno’s Church in Whittier. However, the reflections will continue!
As an engineer I feel more like the Martha character. I have always wanted to do things rather than to learn how to do things. I guess some people are more like the Mary character, wanting to learn how to do things more than wanting to do them. It makes sense that for a balanced life we should spend time learning and time doing.
The idea would seem to be: Spend some time in the Adoration Chapel and some time in helping at the Festival.
Yes, that is a good balance.
What comes to mind is today’s hospitality. Let’s say two sisters invited a friend for dinner and for whatever reason, when their friend arrived, the meal wasn’t fully prepared. The ladies had to decide who would finish cooking and who would entertain … until such time as they could all sit down at the table together. Under ideal situations everything would have been ready for their guest. But in life, the ideal isn’t always possible. I think part of the gospel “lesson” is to expect the unexpected, and then handle it as best as possible with faith and humility. Faith is the operative component. Humility teaches us that we have fewer answers than we’d like.
What a great insight! Yes, flexibility, adaptability, and humility are key lessons!
2 Things… I am not a mercy person. I am more Black and White. I know this will surprise you.. haha!
I would have been at the feet of Jesus and Let the one in the kitchen do her thing. However, in this case, I always thought, “Hay – who would have served the meal?” We do need the people who serve.
The thing is that she was probably irritated at her sister cause this wasn’t a one-time thing. However, just like the Torah reflection this week. Self-pity leads to criticism. Poor me, etc.
Makes one think that we all in some way have done this. A good thing to reflect on when we get into that stage.
I know when moving to Simi Valley I was in that state for about a year and then my car broke down which made it worse. After being at St. Rose of Lima the love that the Church just pours out was amazing. Then I was on dial-a-ride and unhappy with things there and went to their meeting to give my list of complaints. Usually, they don’t want people like that around. But now they have me on the ADA Committee. I think I had to learn God’s plan may be different than my plan. Then they asked me to be on a committee to interview bus drivers. It has been quite an experience. It has been a real joy working with them.
I still think I’ll get a car someday and take communion to people in assisted living. I still miss that a lot. But everything is in God’s timing..
Hope all is well in your new Church position. I’ll bet they love you a lot there.
What a surprising story! I would not have expected the response that you received, but I am very happy that you did!
I loved your reflection on Martha and Mary, Fr. Dave, with their two different responses to
God’s call.
Although I identify more with Martha I like to believe that Mary had chosen the “better part”
It all depends on how and why God calls us to be either active or contemplative. Both are good precisely because they are from the Lord.
Beautiful reflection Fr Dave! Thank you.
Whenever someone visits our house, our regular activities and comfort are affected by their presence. Hospitality is everybody’s responsibility to build relationship/love between relatives and or between friends.
The Gospel portrays Jesus being invited by Martha to her house. We see here the discipline of the household was affected by how Martha and Mary were handling how to serve their visitor, Jesus.
All of us have different calling in our lives and when we invite Jesus in our hearts, in our house or work we must be willing to surrender ourselves to God trusting Him and do His will and not our will..
One thing I know God loves all of us regardless of what decision we will choose.
Well said. We must pay attention to how Our Lord is calling us at this particular moment.
Interesting reflection. I believe God calls us to be active soldiers in his ministry. However, in order to hear His calling, we need to be submissive and reticent to do his bidding, which requires balance, discipline and having an open heart. In my prayers I often ask to divine what it is that God is asking me to do in His service because we all have our special purpose in life.
You have accurately said exactly what our prayers should be about.
Father Dave, Your commentary was wonderful!!! We should always do what our God and our loving Jesus are asking us to do in love!!! I would love to be both a Martha and and a Mary, welcoming Jesus in love, offering him the best of wines and cooking a fabulous fish meal,He loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees wine and fish and listening to his loving words!!! Here on earth we have to embrace others in love as we would embrace our Jesus and be actively involved in helping them!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee it! Enjoy St. Brunos and if ever you want wine or fish come and visit!!! All our love to you!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Yes, I know you will always show great hospitality!
You certainly spoke loudly to this Martha! For years Ive resisted the Martha because I longed to be a Mary – the likeable one. Two years ago my brother was diagnosed with cancer and my prayers were much like the one you described. During his final days, i would greet him by saying, “Wake up Lazurus.” One morning, a nurse overheard me and asked if I would still believe in my God if he didnt respond to my prayers. Without hesitation I responded, Yes, Lord, your will be done. i felt an overwhelming peace. my brother died two days later and though i miss him greatly i am comforted to know God was with me at Jaime’s bedside. and i now have a new appreciation for my name and my mission. BTW when i asked about the night nurse i was told there was no one that fit my description.
Welcome to St Bruno!
What a beautiful story. Remember that Jesus also had His prayer :answered” in a way He did not expect in the Garden of Gethsemane. God only gives us what we need for our salvation. Sometimes that is health and sometimes not. For God’s own Son, it was not to avoid the crucifixion but to accept, which turned out to be the source of the salvation for the whole world!