What happens when we dare to be different? When we take a step out from old habits, out-dated customs, or our own fears - that trap and confine us to be less than we are called to be? Both Mary and Martha were to find out….
Luke 10: 38-42
38 As
Jesus and his disciples went on their way, he came to a village where a woman
named Martha welcomed him in her home. 39 She had a sister
named Mary, who sat down at the feet of the Lord and listened to his teaching. 40 Martha
was upset over all the work she had to do, so she came and said, “Lord, don't
you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to
come and help me!”41 The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha!
You are worried and troubled over so many things, 42 but just
one is needed. Mary has chosen the right thing, and it will not be taken away
from her.”
Martha’s Tale
They arrived early
More than expected
Hot and anxious
I became harassed and hasty
Then I noticed Mary
Mary!
Sitting at Jesus feet
Drinking in every word
With all still to do
And I lost it
and what’s more
I lost it with Jesus
Women don’t get angry, do they?
Women may be disappointed, saddened
a little upset maybe
but not full on angry
It’s not done
Just like it isn’t done
for women to sit at the teacher’s
feet
like the disciples were doing with
Jesus
like my sister was doing
as I would’ve liked to do
absorbing every amazing word he spoke
Peter, Andrew, James, John and our
Mary
Women just don’t do that
I was embarrassed for her
She was showing the family up
A woman’s place is in the kitchen
waiting on
feeding the family
cleaning up
It wasn’t seemly
and it wasn’t getting the jobs done
or the meal ready
and I lost it
Lord, I said
to Jesus
my hands full of plates
and my eyes full of sparks
don’t you care
that my sister’s left me to do the work by myself?
Tell her to help me!
I can still remember the way
he looked at me
Martha, Martha
you’re worried and upset about many things
but only one thing is needed.
Mary has chosen what is better
and it will not be taken away from her.
And then to my deep mortification
he took the plates from my hands
and started laying the table
helping with the meal
Right! I thought
and when they ate
Mary and I joined the men
and ate with them
and that’s not done either
and after the meal
first Jesus and then the others
helped
as we cleared away
and washed up
sat round Jesus and listened
and laughed and learnt
I even dared to ask a question
There’s no turning back
For Mary and I
we’re free
Jesus freed us
from the box our culture would keep
us in
and our fear of going outside the box
Love and freedom, life and warmth
grace that blows all fear away
That was Mary and I that night
I still can’t believe I got angry
with Jesus!
