Article April 7, 1997 Issue

Women of the '90s: Martha and Mary

Judith E. Cole

Much has been said about the contemporary woman's multiple roles—wife, mother, homemaker, employer or employee, and volunteer. To identify womanhood in terms of quantity of roles, size of family, income, or physical characteristics ignores the real essence of womanhood. So what does it mean to be a woman?

Two women among the friends of Christ Jesus are helpful to consider. Martha and Mary were sisters, and their brother was Lazarus, whom Jesus had raised from death four days after he had been buried. At a different time, when Jesus came to their home to visit, Martha complained because Mary was not helping her prepare the meal. Mary had stopped to listen to Jesus teach. Jesus' response was particularly surprising, given the customs and expectations of women at that time. He said, "Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her" (Luke 10:41, 42).

It is likely that Jesus was not advocating abandoning domestic responsibilities. Rather, that all activities should grow from this spiritual base: from a desire to love and obey God, divine Love. Since Love is the source of joy, strength, satisfaction, consider this question: Even if I accomplish all my tasks and am dubbed "superwoman," what is the cost of leaving God out of my life?

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