Luke 10:38-42
As Jesus and his disciples went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me." But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."
Questions for engaging the text:
- What do I observe" What am I seeing" Does this passage raise questions for me?
- Is anything attracting me, drawing my attention, or repulsing me?
-What response is emerging within me? What is my response to what is attracting me?***
-In what ways might I specifically act on my insights in the world
I really want to hear from you. Thank you for clicking on "Comments" below and adding your responses.
Grace and Peace, Debra
*** 1st three questions taken from The Art of Engaging Holy Scripture curriculum (see resources)
Luke 10.38-42 Martha & Mary
ReplyDeleteI observe what appears to be a contradiction. Last week we engaged Jesus’ story of the stranger, the good Samaritan, who at great personal inconvenience and expense did lots of things to help a wounded man he happened upon while traveling. Jesus told this story to a testy lawyer and instructed him to “Go and do likewise.” This week we hear Jesus tell the dutiful though exasperated Martha that her sister Mary who “sat at the Lord’s feet and listened,” rather than help her sister with household duties, had “chosen the better part.”
So what is the message? Are we supposed to be dutiful or sit still and be attentive? Apparently Jesus is telling us – it depends.
I imagine sitting at Jesus’ feet listening to him tell both of these stories and I ask him, Lord, what would you have me hear? In the depth of my heart I understand that what matters in not the duties I do or do not do. What really matters is how my heart is inclined in each situation – in each season.
The lyrics of the old Pete Seeger song –“Turn! Turn! Turn!” taken from the Book of Ecclesiastes come to mind. Listen if you like...
http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/forrestgump/turnturnturntoeverythingthereisaseason.htm
To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven
A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep
To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven
A time to build up, a time to break down
A time to dance, a time to mourn
A time to cast away stones
A time to gather stones together
To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven
A time of war, a time of peace
A time of love, a time of hate
A time you may embrace
A time to refrain from embracing
To everything - turn, turn, turn
There is a season - turn, turn, turn
And a time for every purpose under heaven
A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate
A time of peace, I swear it's not too late!