ITEMS OF INTEREST August 27, 2007 Issue

ITEMS OF INTEREST

with contributions from Joy Douglas Strome, Charles Ganske, Gary Warth

AS A COMPANION PIECE to the Samaritan story, the Mary-and-Martha story (Luke 10:38–42) has something to teach us that is unrelated to their gender. A lawyer has posed a question to Jesus about eternal life. What does it take to acquire it? When Jesus challenges him to recall the law, the lawyer answers: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. The story of the good Samaritan becomes the illustration of how one loves one's neighbor. The story of Martha and Mary becomes the illustration of how one loves God. Luke is working to define discipleship for the early church, and these two stories begin to pave a way.... A Samaritan loving his neighbor? A woman sitting at the feet of Jesus—the place where disciples are supposed to sit? Scandalous! So, yes, Luke opens the way for women to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn—not at Martha's expense ... but for Martha's benefit! And for the benefit of a community needing liberation from singular, closed-system thinking!

Looking back, we might wish Jesus had said something different: "You're absolutely right, Martha. What was I thinking? Why don't we all come into the kitchen and help with the dishes and talk while we work?" One twist of phrase and the Mary-Martha struggle could easily have been sidelined while Jesus' main point was still made. The dinner party is not about the attendess, not about their roles and responsibilities, but about the guest of honor. And the guest is demanding full attention. For one to inherit eternal life, he insists, the love of God and neighbor must be front and center. No discussion. No time for distractions. No time for worry....

We understand Martha's predicament. Today's Martha could be working at a computer, checking her Blackberry, or talking on her cellphone while driving and eating lunch. She could be on a treadmill while making appointments for the next day. She could be grading papers, her phone held between cheek and shoulder, checking in with family about coming home late. ... She could be overscheduled, overbooked, and overwhelmed. The pace could make her snap. The urgent demands of life collide with the urgent demands of the gospel—and anyone's trigger can be tripped....

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