This text scares me. It is way too black and white. Or perhaps, “my understanding” of it – is way too black and white.
In either case, it scares me.
It seems to me you always run the risk of offending someone – and fostering an age/old sibling rivalry…
In a few short verses, this lesson opens up – or can open up – a “family fight” that touches almost every woman who has ever had a sister.
But I believe further that “gender” does not matter…because we are talking about “human attributes”…here…male or female.
We are “all” either Mary or Martha. And, it probably is not at all helpful, to state that there is a little Mary and a little Martha in all of us!
Although, we do like “that statement…”
I do know this – this lection – carries the only reference to Mary and Martha in the synoptic gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke.
The two sisters and their brother, Lazarus, figure prominently in the fourth gospel of John, but hardly at all – in the Synoptics.

I know furthermore, that Pope Gregory (of the Gregorian chant fame and the Gregorian calendar) in the 7th century – stated that Mary of Bethany and Mary of Magdala is the same person. I think, he was mistaken.

I think modern scholarly study has proven Mary Magdalene to be her own separate individual, not to be confused with any other Mary in the scriptures.

Miriam was after all, a pretty common name for women of the time. Many women were named Miriam (or Mary)…being named after the sister of Moses.

Luke (for whatever reason) makes no mention of their being a brother named Lazarus.

But that’s ok, because the story that is told – really truly is not about him…but rather, about the two sisters…

It is about “Jesus” in one sense and about sibling rivalry in the other sense.

It is about “rivalistic relationships.” Some might even call them caustic or toxic. A relationship involving competition and opposition. And usually a fair amount of judgment thrown in and bandied around. Someone is usually taking on the role of victim. It is not fun!

We know that Martha owned the home, and so the assumption is made that she is the “older sister.”

We have this older sister/younger sister thing going on…

You know, no one likes a snitch, a tattletale, a fink, a narc, or a rat. But if you grew up with siblings…you can probably relate to it…like it or not.

You would think that any information of “some breach of the rules” or a “breach of the norm” – or a report of some kind of “great injustice” would be appreciated by everyone…

Well guess what, it isn’t! The sisters are at odds.

The really cool thing is that Jesus takes “homey incidents” from everyday life and converts them into parables. Jesus takes these everyday circumstances and transforms them into moments for spiritual growth!

While one sister is out in the kitchen busy, focused with details and last minute preparations…the other sister – just sits idly by on her behind-cheerfully listening to Jesus.
One does all the work, all the cooking, all the cleaning, all the polishing and all the preparation, all the serving – meanwhile the other one, just sits there!

Motionless, doing nothing…just listening…

No sweat on “her” brow! No prune hands for her!

It’s not fair! Anger and growing frustration could not be contained.

Do you know that 99% of all women – say they are Marthas? Martha has become the symbol of “the modern woman” – doing it all.

Boldly she goes to Jesus and accuses him of NOT CARING!

Jesus will not be caught up in sibling rivalry, let them work it out for themselves as we all must do…but then, he adds “Mary has chosen the better part!
For her, there is no drudgery, no anxiety, no worry, no trouble and no distraction.

Just hearing the word…

But did he realize when he said those words…how many of us count on the Martha’s of this world – to get things done?

Amen.