Both And

Which is “better”? To worship or to serve? To spend time in Bible Study or to use the time to drive someone to the doctor or to hand out food to the hungry? Do you laugh? I think many would say, ‘It all depends who is asking whom to do what.”

Sunday we will ponder the story in Luke 10:38-42—the story of “Mary and Martha”—as many people call it. Martha as the host is responsible to serve Jesus and the disciples, and she is upset because Mary is sitting at the feet of Jesus and not helping. What a breach of culture for Mary to make that choice! What irresponsibility! How could she leave Martha alone in the kitchen with so much to do? The question so distresses Martha, that Martha interrupts Jesus’ teaching, accuses him of not caring, and asks him to take away Mary’s “blessing” and make Mary help in the kitchen.

As we listen to the story, we find ourselves in Mary and we find ourselves in Martha. We see in the mirror the times we judge others and even judge God because we are overwhelmed. We remember times we have longed for God to change others’ choices so that they will chose to help make our load lighter. And we ask ourselves, “Just what is that ‘better portion’ that Mary chose”? Does Jesus really think less of the “workers” than the “students”? Before you decide on an answer, check out Micah 6:8; Matthew 25:31-40; Matthew 20: 25-28; James 1:22; and the life of Moses who was called “the servant of God.”

I would suggest that the Word of God calls us to a “Both/And” way of life. Which brings us back to the question, “What and how do we faith-fully choose?”

Diane Wheatley