Difference between revisions of "Sermon for July 21st, 2013"
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The story of Martha and Mary is familiar to many of us, but as with all familiar stories that we hear over and over again, it's easy to get stuck at the surface level, easy to assume that we know what the story is really about. Today, I invite you to dig deeper into this story; because it's not just a story about two sisters from 2,000 years ago. It's a story about us. If you'll forgive the bad pun in the sermon title, it's a story about Martha-cans, Mary-cans, and Ameri-cans, too. | The story of Martha and Mary is familiar to many of us, but as with all familiar stories that we hear over and over again, it's easy to get stuck at the surface level, easy to assume that we know what the story is really about. Today, I invite you to dig deeper into this story; because it's not just a story about two sisters from 2,000 years ago. It's a story about us. If you'll forgive the bad pun in the sermon title, it's a story about Martha-cans, Mary-cans, and Ameri-cans, too. | ||
| − | So what do we know about | + | So what do we know about Martha and Mary? They show up several times in the gospel, along with their brother Lazarus, whom Jesus raises from the dead. At one point, in John chapter 11, we are told that "Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus." And of course, when Lazarus dies, the scriptures tell us that, "Jesus wept." So all in all, a pretty important family, close to Jesus. Some scholars speculate that Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were wealthy, or at least part of what we would call the "upper middle class" of their society, because they own their own family tomb. Mary in another part of the gospels, uses expensive perfume to wash Jesus' feet. Martha, in today's scripture passage, apparently owns her own home, and judging by her "many tasks" and need for help, we might imagine it to be a fairly large home. |
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| + | Those are some things we know...or can reasonably guess, about Martha and Mary. But there are also a few things I'd like to de-bunk--some stereotypes and shallow assumptions that people often make in connection with this story. There's an interpretation of the story that goes something like this: Martha, the busybody, is working, working, working. Mary--the pious, passive, devout and worshipful Mary--is sitting at Jesus' feet, hanging on his every word. Martha tries to get a little help, a little relief, and Jesus says, "No, Martha. Mary is right and you're wrong. It's better to sit quietly and listen to me, than to run around like crazy trying to get everything done." Mary wins. Martha loses. Game over. The end. | ||
Revision as of 16:12, 20 July 2013
Luke 10:38-42
38 Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 40But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ 41But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’
Marthacans, Marycans & Americans
Today's scripture passage--the story of Martha, Mary, and Jesus--is all about priorities, and putting the really important things first. I'm reminded of the story about the frustrated wife whose husband was an avid sports fan. One day she reached the end of her rope and blurted out to him, "You'd probably miss my funeral to go to a stupid ball game!" The husband looked at her in disbelief and asked, "What makes you think I'd schedule your funeral on the day of a game?" Priorities...putting the really important things first.
The story of Martha and Mary is familiar to many of us, but as with all familiar stories that we hear over and over again, it's easy to get stuck at the surface level, easy to assume that we know what the story is really about. Today, I invite you to dig deeper into this story; because it's not just a story about two sisters from 2,000 years ago. It's a story about us. If you'll forgive the bad pun in the sermon title, it's a story about Martha-cans, Mary-cans, and Ameri-cans, too.
So what do we know about Martha and Mary? They show up several times in the gospel, along with their brother Lazarus, whom Jesus raises from the dead. At one point, in John chapter 11, we are told that "Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus." And of course, when Lazarus dies, the scriptures tell us that, "Jesus wept." So all in all, a pretty important family, close to Jesus. Some scholars speculate that Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were wealthy, or at least part of what we would call the "upper middle class" of their society, because they own their own family tomb. Mary in another part of the gospels, uses expensive perfume to wash Jesus' feet. Martha, in today's scripture passage, apparently owns her own home, and judging by her "many tasks" and need for help, we might imagine it to be a fairly large home.
Those are some things we know...or can reasonably guess, about Martha and Mary. But there are also a few things I'd like to de-bunk--some stereotypes and shallow assumptions that people often make in connection with this story. There's an interpretation of the story that goes something like this: Martha, the busybody, is working, working, working. Mary--the pious, passive, devout and worshipful Mary--is sitting at Jesus' feet, hanging on his every word. Martha tries to get a little help, a little relief, and Jesus says, "No, Martha. Mary is right and you're wrong. It's better to sit quietly and listen to me, than to run around like crazy trying to get everything done." Mary wins. Martha loses. Game over. The end.
