In this Gospel we hear: “As Jesus entered a certain village a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home…. Her sister Mary sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.” Tomorrow’s first reading from Genesis tells a similar story with Sarah slaving in the kitchen while Abraham entertains their three guests. Bowing in greeting, Abraham sends the guests to wash up while he scurries about getting a choice steer and giving Sarah orders on what and how to prepare the meal which he alone hosts for his new buddies.
Both Scripture readings show the contrast between the two activists. Martha is behind the scenes; Abraham busy arranging many details of hospitality. In the background we find the more reticent, but no less active ladies, Mary and Sarah. The incidents illustrate more than hostesses doing what they do best to make an evening delightful. There is a bit of these characters in each of us – one or the other prevails from day to day, and situation to situation.
Jesus’ response to Martha’s “Don’t you even care that I am stuck in the kitchen?” reminds us “only one thing is necessary.” It causes us to realize that I, as an individual, do not have to do it all. This is evident in our practice of taking only one role at a time in the dining room or in a single liturgy – we acknowledge (for instance) that liturgy is a communal act where all present are on the same level: differing in gifts but equal in importance. Everything needs to get done, there are plenty of roles to share: leaders and readers, cooks and servers, singers and keyboardists, prayer leaders and bell ringers, gift bearers and petitioners, Eucharistic ministers and the celebrant. At times our ranks may be slim, especially when members are away or illness prohibits or limits our participation, but we strive to engage everyone in the communal roles.
This is the attitude we strive to express also in the distribution of daily chores. No single person needs to do it all – choices have to be made. Self-importance can get in the way if I do not consider the impression I will make if I try single-handedly to assume the burden of chores and fail to ask for assistance. There are times, certainly, when we have to double up on duties, but we need to be conscious of enabling others to offer service. Thus, we show them respect by recognizing their capabilities.
The Gospel also gives us a glimpse of Jesus as a gracious guest. He is the object of Mary’s attention and the recipient of Martha’s service. Jesus knew his role as servant and as the one being served – the contrast between serving and being served i.e. resting gently and securely in either the role of being a servant or a guest.
To paraphrase some thoughts from Richard Foster in his book Celebration of Discipline:
There is a difference between choosing to serve and choosing to be a servant (with emphasis on the word CHOOSING). When we choose to serve, we are still in charge. We decide whom we will serve and where we will serve and when we will serve. And if we are in charge, we will worry a great deal about anyone stepping on us, that is taking charge over us.
But when we choose to be a servant, we give up the right to be in charge. There is a great freedom in this. When we choose to be a servant, we surrender the right to decide who and where and when we will serve. We become available and vulnerable.
May we learn to be both the servant who serves and the open, receptive, gracious guest to whom others render service. We pray for the grace to balance both roles in our lives.
~Reflection by Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB
