I've been thinking about Mary and Martha on and off since Sunday's gospel reading.
The first thing that occurred to me is that sermons and lessons often portray these two as different kinds of Christians . . . with the ensuing discussion centering on which kind we should be. Earlier this week, I suddenly saw the story in a different light. Mary and Martha are both within me, and I can read this story as my own inner conflict: the responsible, practical side beating up on the more intuitive side for not getting more done. Such a reading gives me pause and makes me wonder about the internal violence I inflict on myself.
Next, I thought about Martha's behavior a little more deeply. One thing that bothers me about her actions in the story is that she "tells tales" about her sister to Jesus. Did she even try talking to Mary first? Did she try to resolve the issue privately? We don't know. Whether she did or not, she is clearly not content to let Mary's conscience guide her own behavior. No, Martha has to go running to the nearest authority to try to coerce her sister into meeting her own expectations. In psychological terms, she is externally driven while Mary is internally driven. Perhaps, just perhaps, one of the points that Jesus was making was that Mary chose the better part, not because quiet contemplation is better than action, but because being guided by the Spirit and your own inner authority is better than legalistically following external expectations and rules.
Finally, my thoughts came to center on Mary. How rarely the story is looked at from her consciousness. Can you imagine what it was like to sit there at the feet of Jesus, knowing that you were defying your culture's expectations, knowing that the men in the room probably were seething that you "had stepped out of your place," knowing that you were wounding a beloved sister, . . . and yet sitting there all the same. How brave she was and how obedient to the prompting of the Spirit within her.
As I try to balance my responsible, practical, "do things" side with the more contemplative side of my personality, I hope I can remember Mary's single-minded focus and determination—and in the process, learn from it.
7 comments:
What an interesting comment about Mary: that many of the men in the room would have resented her presence in the circle of listeners.
Thank you for that insight.
great post ruth!
You have some wise insight here Ruth. Thank you. :)
This is a good post, Ruth. I've always been drawn to the story of Martha and Mary as well. I too have them both "within" me, and Martha seems to win out more than Mary, sadly. Being the head of our kitchen team at church, I see Martha's behavior less as telling tales, though, and more as just finally reaching the end of her rope in frustration. I've done the same thing myself! And like Martha, also I've failed to sit at the feet of Christ, drinking it in like Mary.
Tons of food for thought in this passage. Thank you for providing more. :)
XO
Well, I have two thoughts about dear, old Martha. First of all, we have a lot in common for I am often "troubled about many things". But secondly, we so often forget that when Jesus came after her brother, Lazarus, died, Martha was the one who bore testimony of Jesus's divinity and belief in His ability to bring about Lazarus' life again. What a magnificent and extraordinary miracle that was, raising Lazarus from the dead! But could He/would He have done it without her marvelous faith? There are numerous references in the scriptures to Jesus not being able to perform miracles in places he went where there was no belief.
So, poor Martha was bummed about Mary and overwhelmed with her duties that one day, one instance in time, but how great and magnificent was her faith when it really counted.
So, okay, I am like Martha sometimes, but I also pray to be like her when the going gets really rough.
Thanks for the wonderful food for thought.
God bless,
Elizabeth
I love what you say here about inner integrity and am sending others to read it.
Very interesting interpretation of this story - was reading another post about Mary and Martha only a week or two ago. It is a very profound story and can be interpreted in so many ways. I think you're right about Martha being too troubled about duties and obligations. I used to be a little defensive of Martha (being somewhat of a Martha myself) as I would say "Well, it's all very well but SOMEONE has to make the dinner!" but I do see this point you are making!
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