In the course of his journey to Jerusalem, Jesus is welcomed into the house of a woman named Martha and her sister, Mary. Women feature more prominently, and by name, in the Gospel version of Luke than in the other accounts.
In this episode, Jesus encounters hospitality, not just friendliness or politeness, but an essential element in the culture of that time and place. Up to now, we have heard warnings and examples about hostility and rejection. But even in this apparently cosy, domestic scene there is a message.
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REFLECT
One method of meditation encourages us to place ourselves in the Gospel scene which we are considering. So, if we imagine Jesus in the house of Martha and Mary, we might ask ourselves, “What did Jesus really need at this moment?” Perhaps he was tired from his journey, exasperated with his male disciples and their lack of understanding about himself and his mission. On a purely human level, maybe he simply needed to talk, which would mean that he needed someone to listen to him.
Most of us would feel sympathy for Martha: we can imagine the clashing of pots and pans increasing in volume as her frustration at being left in the kitchen to prepare the meal alone grows. Eventually, her patience runs out and she bursts into the conversation between Jesus and Mary. But if she had her way, Jesus would be left sitting alone while the two of them busied themselves in the kitchen. Is that what hospitality means? Does it centre on the accepted duties of the host being fulfilled, or is it a matter of meeting the needs of the guest? What were Jesus’ needs at this point? A meal, or rather human company and attention?
Martha is clear about her duties towards her guest. But Jesus gently points out that perhaps she has got her priorities wrong. She is concerned about fulfilling her responsibilities but seems totally unaware of the needs or feelings of her guest. Luke presents Jesus in his Gospel as a prophet, and the prophet is the bearer of the word, which has to be spoken and to be listened to. In this sense, it is Mary who is presented as “choosing the better part”. But Martha is avoiding listening to Jesus, although, from her point of view, she is doing the right thing. Luke is suggesting that that the word of God takes precedence over other considerations.
What people really need is someone to listen to them, someone to talk to. It is natural to feel that making tea and providing sandwiches is the right thing to do to meet someone’s immediate needs. Often well-meaning people will busy themselves in such ways but have no time to spend with the persons to whom they are ministering. On a practical level, the story of Martha and Mary is posing an important question: what does the person in front of you really need? Whose needs are you addressing: theirs or yours?
learn
- The word used for “serving” in Luke’s Gospel is the root from which we derive “deacon” and “diaconate”.
- The subject of the verb in Luke’s Gospel is,apart from Jesus, women.
- Women are those who supported Jesus and his other disciples out of their own resources.
- Hospitality, offering protection and safety toward the stranger and pilgrim, was a sacred duty in the time of Jesus.
do
Donate to the St Vincent de Paul Society in your parish: better, how could you help in their ministry of befriending lonely people in your area?