Hello, Christ the King Family,
I’m not sure if you have the same reaction, but every time I hear this passage from St. Luke’s Gospel, I’m quick to interpret the scene and Jesus’ words as a put-down of Martha (Perhaps this reveals many of my own Martha-like tendencies). In particular, where Jesus says that “Mary has chosen the better part,” I can imagine Martha—or more accurately, myself—responding with a snappy retort, maybe something like: “well then, maybe I’ll just leave the worst part in the kitchen and you can help yourself!”
But is Jesus really putting down Martha? I don’t think so. We have examples of Jesus really throwing down the gauntlet with people (for example, the Pharisees, Scribes, & other religious leaders), and this is not one of those moments. So why do some of us have this tendency to interpret it as a put-down? Perhaps a big part of the equation has to deal with our own culture and upbringing…we always want to be the best, to be number one, and to constantly compare and make sure we’re living and breathing and buying and doing the best. In other words, if we are told there is a better part, then we are colossal failures because we haven’t chosen it. So yes, Mary certainly has chosen the better part, but this also does not mean that by extension Martha’s work is not good—Lord knows that we need to work, minister, & serve! Last Sunday he exhorted to “go and do likewise” in sharing the work of God’s love and compassion. So Jesus isn’t putting down Martha, or saying that those who are busy and burdened with many responsibilities in life will only be second-class citizens in the kingdom of heaven.
And at the same time, it is quite clear that in the midst of the good work Martha is doing, something is off…there’s a disconnect. She has become so self-conscious, anxious, and preoccupied with her work that she cannot listen to the Lord as well as Mary and finds herself frustrated and exasperated. Work without any meaningful time of connection with the Lord will remain just that—work. Or, as we say in our Holy Cross Constitutions: “Without prayer, we drift.” If we don’t figure out how to foster our connection with the Lord, we’ll find ourselves going through days as anxious and worried as Martha. Every Mass is a powerful opportunity to let go of those many anxieties and worries from our often too-busy lives and practice those Mary-like dispositions of prayer and an open listening of the heart, even if it starts at just an hour a day. No matter our occupation in life, in the midst of work there is always the opportunity for encounter with God whether it be in the customers or clients we serve, the coworkers beside us, or even within our often-restless hearts.
Peace,
Fr. David
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