By: Karla Didier
This week I wanted to share something I learned while going through the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises. It was very impactful to me as a way to “pray” scripture. I have read and studied scripture pretty consistently for 35+ years. Now they were inviting me to use my imagination, to put myself in the story, to see the people in the story as real people in real circumstances, and to ask the Lord what He want me to see as I “pray through” a story. I was always surprised when I got to a part of scripture that I have read MANY times. When I approached it prayerfully, the Spirit showed me new things I needed to see. (You do not need to agree with my processing, I offer it as an example.)
Ask the Lord to speak to you in a new and fresh way. Lord, this is a well-known story, but awaken my heart and spark my soul to be a listening learner. Open my eyes to behold wonderful things!
Luke 10:38-42 AMP
38. Now while they were on their way, it occurred that Jesus entered a certain village, and a woman named Martha received and welcomed Him into her house. 39. And she had a sister named Mary, who seated herself at the Lord's feet and was listening to His teaching. 40. But Martha [overly occupied and too busy] was distracted with much serving; and she came up to Him and said, Lord, is it nothing to You that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me [to lend a hand and do her part along with me]! 41. But the Lord replied to her by saying, Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things; 42. There is need of only one or but a few things. Mary has chosen the good portion [that which is to her advantage], which shall not be taken away from her.
I read the story a few times. What stands out to me? Being a word-geek, I look up the meanings of certain words. I ask myself questions or make comments along the way.
One thing that strikes me is that Martha welcomed them into her home. She received them. (Receive = hupodechomai – to admit under one's roof, entertain, hospitality.) That makes sense, and generally when you welcome someone, you would serve them, bring food and drinks, make sure everyone is comfortable.
Mary sat (parakathizo – to sit down near) near Jesus' feet and heard (akouo – give audience of, shall hear, understand) His word. Mary took on a very different role. Maybe she meant to go and help, but got caught up in being there listening to Him…. Maybe He had invited her. “Come on, right here, sit down.”
Martha was very busy and distracted with all of her serving responsibilities, she was cumbered about much (polus – abundant) serving (diakonia – attendance as a servant, ministering, relief)
It seems to me that Martha was not just serving, but was going far beyond expectations. Well, wouldn’t I want to do that for Jesus? Don’t I want to give Him my best? That seems reasonable, even commendable.
But then I remember Who it is that is speaking. "Martha, Martha, you are careful (to be anxious about, take thought) and troubled /disturbed about many things. But one thing (heis – only) is needful (chreia – requirement, necessary). Mary has chosen that good part which shall not (ou – absolutely negative, never) be taken away (aphaireo – removed, cut off) from her."
What tone of voice do I hear? Even though Jesus is basically saying that Mary chose the better way, the better thing to do at that moment, I hear tenderness in His voice. Martha’s wanting to serve them wasn’t wrong, but it seems she set high expectations for herself as to what needed to be done or how things needed to look. With all of the check lists and preparations that she was doing for Jesus, she was not able to spend any time with Jesus. I think Jesus wanted her to be with Him, to value the relationship with Him over the service for Him.
What do I value more? With people, do I value time and conversations and listening to stories with them or am I busy doing stuff, preparations, cleaning…. With Jesus ,what do I value more? Rather what does my life show that I value more? Being with Him or doing stuff for Him? There seems to be a pervasive tendency anyway to value what we are doing, producing, following hospitality norms, providing for rather than just being with people, listening. When I meet with someone to share how life is going, to talk about different situations, or whatever, is that time less important than getting "something done?” Do I have a tendency to not have people over because my home is not cleaned up enough? Or not having people over to share a meal because I do not have this great meal to offer?
As you think or ponder the questions, bring it before the Lord – He is very gracious. “Lord, forgive me when I ……, and please help me to value what You value. Help me be in alignment with what is important to You.”
This story also made me think about the voices we or I listen to. When I think of what Martha was doing, it does make a lot of sense. She wanted to give Jesus and His disciples her best. Maybe she thought that they don’t eat well when they are on the road, and she wanted to give them a wonderful meal. They must be tired, and she wanted to help them feel comfortable and refreshed. To be fair, that seems like a great goal! It was not only a natural desire, but it was also the role a woman of the household would be expected to do.
One thing I noticed was that she called Him Lord, Kurios, a respectful title. Sir. Even that seemed sort of distant. Not the kind of person you would want to be close to and soak in all he had to say. Sir or Kurios would be someone great, but separate. A person to serve, not to be close to as a friend or a loving daddy or brother. How did Martha see Jesus? How do I see Him? Is He someone great that I respect and admire but removed from, or is He One I feel drawn to and comfortable ‘just being’ with? There is what makes sense, what we believe is the "right" thing to do, what is socially acceptable, and….. there is what Jesus says. It might well be different. I thought also of the other people in the room. What do they think of us as we make our choice? I can get praise and acceptance if I go along with the socially acceptable – “Martha, this is delicious.” “Martha, you are such a good hostess.” “Martha, because of you and all you are doing, I am able to sit here and hear His teaching. Thank you.” OR… If Martha had made the choice to pair down the serving so she could be with them….. “Why is she sitting there?” “What do you mean there will only be sandwiches and chips? Don't you know who this is?” “I know why she is not married by now..... this house has dust on the ledges and those extra side tables were not put away!” “This meal is too simple for honored guests – she should have known better. It would reflect bad on her husband, if she had one.” “Sitting and listening to the Master isn't going to get food on the table and beverages for all those who have had a long, hard day. They need refreshment, and here she is!” But then, there is what Jesus said – Mary chose what is best and important, and it will not be taken from her.
Who am I trying to please? Might others misunderstand and judge? Yes, and even probably. But who am I trying to please? When our daughter called one time to tell me about a decision they had made, it struck me when I thought about all of the differing opinions others might have about that decision. People might be well-meaning, but at the end of the day, I need to know I heard from Him. Is there anything I am doing, or not, to please people, whose voices are so often the loudest? Are there cultural norms or traditions I feel like I have to keep because it is what is expected? By whom? Whose voice am I listening to? Often, I need to ask myself, “What is my true motive?” I can rationalize with the best of them. Be honest. Ask the Lord to help you see. Anything He shows us is done in love and tenderness and truly with our best interest in mind. This reminds me of the verses going from Galatians 4:31 to Galatians 5:1
AMP 4:31So then, brothers, we who are born again – reborn from above – spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose, are not children of a slave woman, the natural, but of the free woman, the supernatural. 5:1 It was for this freedom that Christ set us free, completely liberating us; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.
Mary was completely free in the choice she made. I am sure there were people there judging her, or at least questioning her, as they heard Martha clattering in the kitchen. Jesus is inviting each of us to BE with Him, to listen to His words, to hear His heart. When I think of the easy yoke we are supposed to have, it is easy when we are yoked with Him, letting Him do the heavy lifting. He invites us: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion (and serving- I added that!) Come to Me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me – watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly. Matt 11: 28-30 MSG
Jesus says: “Come away with Me, and you’ll recover your life.” There are other voices that say: “That’s enough, there are things to get done.” I am not saying we do not have things that do need to get done: work to go to, houses to clean or meals to prepare. Rather to try to pay attention to the reality of the pervasive and incessant voices calling us to do more, to value doing over being, and to know we do have a choice. In my last class at Gonzaga on Perspectives of Immigrants and Refugees, I learned that on the continuum of cultures that value community vs. individualism, most of the cultures in the world value community. Guess where the United States is? Extreme opposite. I am inviting you to consider the effect our culture can and does have on us, on our thinking and on our values. This is “our normal.” This is just an invitation for you to ask the Lord if He wants you to see from a new perspective. I want to hear and heed His voice above all others, and I believe you do too. Blessings on you.