Sunday Scripture Readings

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sixteenth sunday

in ordinary time,

july 22

Genesis 18:1-10; Psalm 15;

Colossians 1:24-28; Luke 10:38-42 OUR GOOD NEWS: Jesus liberates women from discrimination and exploitation. The Lord came for dinner one day, invited by Martha (the "lady" or "mistress of the house" and hostess). The story takes its meaning from the posture assumed by Martha's sister Mary. She had assumed the attitude of a disciple, one who "sits at the feet of" the master and there "listens to his words." Martha, the principal character in today's Gospel story, posed a problem for the teacher to solve. She complained about three things: excessive demands of hospitality and table service, her sister's unwillingness to help and Jesus' insensitivity toward an unfair situation. Martha's being "pulled and dragged around" ("busy") refers to her state of mind - feeling overworked and taken advantage of - as well as to all the tasks necessary in preparing a good meal (Can you identify with Martha?) Jesus should solve the problem by acknowledging the unfairness and ordering Mary to help out. No fair! The Lord rejected Martha's assessment of the situation and her seemingly obvious solution. She, not Mary, was the problem; only she, not Jesus, could correct it. By addressing Martha by name and repeating it for emphasis, Jesus drew attention to her wrong attitude and its implications. His words did not condemn loving service and the virtue of hospitality. They must be interpreted in the context of Jesus' own example of having "come to serve," as well as his accepting Martha's invitation to dinner. As hostess, she was expected to show hospitality. But Jesus faulted her attitude, a subtle form of legalism. Martha preferred hard work over the more demanding challenge of discipleship. Attentive learning at Jesus' feet takes priority over a tasty soup. It involves newness and growing, the painful changing of attitudes as well as values. This brief narrative demonstrates the destructive effects of unhealthy, excessive preoccupation with tasks (however praiseworthy in themselves), and summons us to a painful reordering of our priorities. Work should express our commitment to Christ, not substitute for it.