16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Proper 11), Year C

​But Martha was distracted by a great deal of serving; so she came to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving by myself? Speak to her so that she might help me.”
~Luke 10:40
 
 
This may be the most universal and ubiquitous family practice of indirect speech we are seeing here. Martha speaks to Jesus, but her words are aimed to sting her sister who sits within earshot as much as they are a frustrated cry for help: “Teacher, don’t you care…” doesn’t anyone care that I’m left here alone with all this stuff that needs to be done?
 
She has a point. So does the Teacher.
 
Jesus calls Martha back—way back—to the stories of her faith and those others whom God cared enough to call twice: “Abraham, Abraham! Put that knife down, God has provided the ram.” Jacob, Jacob! God will make your descendants a great nation.” And from the burning bush that is not consumed, “Moses, Moses! I want you to fire up my put-upon people.” Samuel, Simon, Saul, Martha. Martha is among this exceptional company of leaders called at pivotal times in their lives, chosen by God for works of ministry.
 
And yet.
 
Earlier this year we heard in this story an invitation to Mary to be a disciple, a peer with the men—with all the rights and privileges…and demands to come and die. Mary situates herself as a learner “at the feet of Jesus,” a location traditionally reserved for men, and Jesus affirms her in the doing. In this world obsessed with roles and titles and achievement in which we imagine ourselves to be the main actors in our stories, what if “the better thing” in the moment is for Martha to remember that as much as she is gifted and called to remarkable ministry, not everything is hers (or ours) to do. The ministry does not rest on her shoulders alone. Or ours. Indeed, this Way is not a transaction, but a relationship with Love. It follows that only love will keep it from growing stale.
 
Enter into worship.
 
Readings: Amos 8:1-12 and Psalm 52 † Genesis 18:1-10a and Psalm 15 † Colossians 1:15-28 † Luke 10:38-42
 
About the Art: He Qi. Martha and Mary, picture from personal collection. 

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