Mary and Martha – a story we've heard so many times, and which has been analyzed just as often. When I reflected on it today, I got a new impression from it.
I thought the scene was sort of like the big party we have at our house each summer. We invite a lot of friends and their families over; the kids swim in the pool and play in the yard while the adults pull up chairs and talk... and eat, and drink, and laugh, and talk some more.
Hosting the party has become easier as I've learned to loosen up. These are my friends – many of them know their way around the house, the kitchen and the pantry. I've learned that people don't mind helping themselves, and helping each other. I don't have to do it all, know it all, or worst of all – have it all under control. As a host, I want to create a space for people to be themselves and have a good time. I think that when people are allowed by their host to make themselves at home, it adds to a sense of community and it nurtures relationships.
So I imagined – what would my summer party be like if Jesus showed up? I hope it wouldn't be all that much different. He would mix in with my friends, they would all have some fun conversation and get to know each other a bit more. Jesus would take his turn supervising the little kids in the pool and checking in with the teenagers as it got dark. He might even hang around and help clean-up. It wouldn't be much fun if we ended up with a deck full of Martha's, or a house full of Mary's. The fun and the sense of community comes from each of us and all of us being our authentic selves, taking in the evening, moment by moment, growing in affection and appreciation for each other.
That's the moral of today's gospel reading for me: Hey Martha, chill out, give people the opportunity to help themselves and each other, and enjoy the party. Be yourself and be with others, instead of being something for everyone else. That's why we got together in the first place – to be with each other.
Martha, Martha, who really wants to work when Jesus is the life of the party!
I hear ya! I guess HE's still not every body's cup of tea. :)
Posted by: Victor | July 18, 2010 at 06:33 PM
I like that contemporary analysis. I have to force myself to chill when I have company, I tend to focus on cooking and serving!
Posted by: Hector | July 18, 2010 at 06:59 PM
Our homilist had a new (to me) twist on the story. Mary's part was better because it began with the Word. Martha was missing out on Christ's teaching, which was why hers was not the better choice. If her activity had been based on the Word, then it would have had value.
Posted by: Meg | July 18, 2010 at 09:51 PM
Thanks for the comments everyone! It's good hearing from you on the blog again :)
Posted by: Steve Bogner | July 19, 2010 at 11:24 PM
I just came upon your blog and it seems when I host a party, I can't stop being Martha!!! I know it's better to be a Mary, but I can't help myself! I guess I feel peace knowing others are having a good time. And, I do love hosting parties because I love experiencing people getting together having a nice time. By reading some of your blogs, we seem to have many things in common. God Bless!
Posted by: Irene S. from CA | July 24, 2010 at 09:50 AM
Welcome to the blog Irene!
Posted by: Steve Bogner | July 26, 2010 at 11:06 AM
Can it be so simple that Our Lord exemplifies his love to be loved by us, more than anything else we could possibly do? Time with our Lord, does not mean work...it is the company we spend with him, that he loves and desires.
Posted by: Denise Peters | July 29, 2010 at 02:43 AM