Reading: Luke 10:38-42 Proper
11C
July 22, 2001
The Rev. Karen Siegfriedt
St. Jude the Apostle Church, Cupertino, CA
Have you ever asked yourself what is the meaning of life? I mean, why are we here? We are born, we experience both joy and suffering, and then we die. If there is no meaning in life, then why should one ever want to live? And if there is meaning to life, then how does one discern it? Well, I am not very philosophical. In fact, I am so swamped by the day to day tasks of life, that I have never found time to contemplate such questions. That was of course, until the day Jesus and his disciples came for unannounced visit! Let me tell you what happened.
Mary and I live in a modest house in Bethany, about 2 miles east of Jerusalem. We live by ourselves since the time of our parents' death. Our brother Lazarus lives nearby and keeps a close eye on us. It was about midday. My sister Mary and I were inside weaving cloth, trying to stay cool from the hot desert sun. We had already ground the wheat, cooked the bread, fetched the water, and gone to the local market to pick up a few vegetables. Suddenly, I heard a bit of commotion going on in the courtyard and immediately got up to see what it was. I recognized Jesus and several other men, laughing and talking, and walking towards the house.
I immediately went out to Jesus and invited all of them in. They were on their way to Jerusalem and needed to get out of the hot sun. Hospitality is a core value among the people of Israel and so I hurried around to get them some water and make them comfortable. Immediately, my mind began to race. What was I going to feed them? How could I make the meal extra special? Do I have enough food for all those hungry men? My mother's voice (may she rest in peace) resounded in my head: "Martha, a way to a man's heart is through his stomach!" Hmm, slim chance that any man would look my way, having a sister as beautiful as Mary.
Anyway, after I got them settled, I began to prepare the food. Being a perfectionist and a person of high expectations, I decided to put on a feast. Not only would there be bread and lentil soup, but I would make a dessert and an appetizer. I began to wash the extra earthen bowl. While I was up to my elbows in soapsuds, I noticed that Mary was at the feet of Jesus. Imagine the audacity of a woman to take such a position! Every good Jewish girl knows that women are not suppose to bother the Rabbi. Studying Torah is for the men! I am surprised that Jesus allowed her to sit among his disciples while he talked about the kingdom of God. But then again, Jesus always surprises me. He always seems to break the rules and his teachings are rather novel. In fact, I was surprised he came into my house without Lazarus being around. What would the neighbor's say about this unmarried man visiting two unmarried women without a proper escort?
Anyway, I knew that if Mary was just going to sit there, then there would be no way I could put on this fabulous meal. So I interrupted the discussion and told Jesus to tell Mary to come into the kitchen and help me. I guess I engaged in a little bit of triangulation, but as you can imagine, I was hysterical by then. I thought Jesus would support me but instead he replied: "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her."
I was speechless. What did he mean that there is need of only one thing? There were many things to do. The grape leaves needed to be stuffed, the onions pealed, the fruit cut up, and the soup made. Then the table had to be set and the meal served. Well, I was on the brink of tears. There were 13 hungry men in my living area, a table of food needing to be prepared, a sister who won't lift a finger, and he says "there is only one thing necessary!" I sat down near the oven and began to think about this strange remark.
Once I was able to quiet my mind, I realized that Jesus wasn't talking about the meal. In fact, if I were to be honest with myself, Jesus didn't expect a fancy meal. He actually didn't even ask me to feed him. Wasn't it Jesus who said, "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God"? Wasn't it Jesus who said, "Don't worry about what you shall eat or drink or wear.But strive first for the kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Now I don't know much about Torah. I leave that to the men (although I guess my sister doesn't). But I do know about the great commandment to Love God and love neighbor. I guess I show love for my neighbor through acts of hospitality. That is good, and I will continue to do so. But if I were really truthful, I would have to say that I haven't spent much time developing my relationship with God. In fact sometimes, I feel spiritually empty. What with the day to day drudgery of life, endless tasks, not enough money. I just go on about with my busyness, with my nose to the grindstone. At the end of the day, what have I really lived for? I don't seem to have that inner peace, that embrace of life, that certain foundation of meaning that my sister Mary has. She seems to have a special relationship with God. You can see it in her face, in the way she treats others, in her joy for life. She just seems happier than I am even though we both work hard.
No wonder she takes the time to listen to the word of God and to be guided by spiritual teachers who can help her with priorities, values, and hope. Without bread, one cannot live. But without the words which give meaning to life, why should one desire to live? What I need, what I cry for, is something worthy and able to possess my heart. Unless there is God, overarching and undergirding our life, creating good, destroying evil, working out his purpose, our human life is an unspeakably pathetic thing, and the so-called achievements of daily life merely serve to accentual its futility.
For me, the one thing necessary to make me whole is to spend some quiet time and listen to the word of God. Then perhaps my life will begin to have meaning and I will not feel so anxious and distracted- pulled in so many directions. What do you think is the one thing necessary for your wholeness?
| Updated 7/24/01 |
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