Memorial of Saint Martha
I'm always somewhat amazed to remember that Martha is a saint; she doesn't get much sympathy in Christian history. She's depicted as the busybody who didn't make time for Jesus but felt the need to make her house perfect instead. In this, she's actually someone I identify with - as a busy mom and professor, there are always things that need doing and people that need caring for. Sometimes the best I do with making time for Jesus is writing these reflections, along with saying a quick little night prayer.
But today's mass readings give us two options for the gospel reading, and I think reading both together is helpful for getting a more full picture of who Martha is. The second gospel reading (Luke 10:38-42) is the one that I think we hear most often about Martha, the one where Jesus admonishes her about having "need of only one thing." But in the first gospel reading (John 11:19-27), note that here it is Martha who rushes to meet Jesus and be with Jesus; Mary stays home. Martha is the one who proclaims her faith in Jesus and her belief in the resurrection of the body - "Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ." If, in the first reading, Martha has forgotten to treat Jesus as the Christ who is coming into the world, in this passage she is revealed as reversing her priorities.
But the passages bring up one other important comparison. Being able to treat Jesus as the Christ requires responding to Jesus and following Jesus in ways that are appropriate to the context. In the Luke passage, when Jesus is a guest in their home, the way to meet Christ is to receive him as a guest, to be with him and speak with him. In the second passage when he is on the road and there is an imminent crisis, the way to meet Christ is to run there.
In other words, part of living the Christian life means having flexibility to be where Jesus has called us - and Jesus calls in many different ways every day.
Today's Old Testament passage (Leviticus 23:1, 4-7, 15-16, 27, 34b-37) shows the commandments God gives to the Israelites concerning feast days, and how and why to celebrate them. Notice that a key component through all of them is that a person must do no work, or reduced work. On most days, work happens and work is important, but on these days, remembrances of God's actions take priority. As with Martha, the Israelites learn that responding to God's call means that God is part of every bit of our lives.
On this memorial of Saint Martha, let us follow her lead and put our priorities in the right place. May God be in all that we do.
- Jana M. Bennett