Dear Faith Family,
Showing hospitality can be overwhelming. Especially the holistic "love of stranger" conveyed in our scriptures and brought to life in the story of that famous Samaritan's heart and actions on Jericho's road. Certainly, welcoming others into home and relationship is exacting, demanding the use of our skills, attention, and resources.
Perhaps that's why the story has carried so much power over the centuries--within and outside of our faith. Jesus' parable pulls no punches. He portrays the cost of true neighborliness, of a genuine love of stranger. The good Samaritan's image has become an ideal that insists on modeling. To offer anything less is to be a loveless passer-by. And none of us wants to be accused of such self-absorption.
Maybe that is why Martha is "anxious and troubled about many things" (Lk. 10:41). Like many of us, she doesn't want to fall short of the ideal. She's counted the cost, actually outlined all the many things required to truly welcome others into home and life, and she is "over-occupied" with the good work. So "distracted by much serving" is Martha, that she is frustrated when those closest to her are not responding with the same effort: "my sister has left me to serve alone...Tell her then [Jesus] to help me." (Lk. 10:40).
Martha's story, which directly follows the Samaritan's, is especially timely for our cultural moment. A constant wrestle for the past eighteen months has been the cost of "love of stranger." Asking ourselves and one another, "how can we be good neighbors?" Truly desiring to know, "How can we truly welcome others amid physical risks and social/political division?" The cost is continuously being counted, the details of service (seemingly daily) are weighed and measured.
It's no wonder that, like Martha, many of us--if we are honest--are "anxious and troubled about many things." And no wonder we are easily aggravated by those closest to us not falling in step with our expectations. Can you identify with Martha? Her genuine desire to "love her neighbor as herself," her striving to ask, answer, and act upon that ideal, and her annoyance when the effort isolates. I know I certainly can.
Because I can easily see myself and ethos of today in Martha and her story, I am especially grateful for Jesus' response.
"Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but only one thing is necessary."
(Luke 10:41-42a)
Jesus is not scolding Martha; rather, he is compassionately pointing out what is true in her and for her.
Jesus knows her, what she is after, and the struggles she is experiencing in her efforts to live out her good desires. He also knows what she needs to see them fulfilled. She needs the "one thing" necessary, the "good portion" her sister had chosen. And what did Mary chose? To abide. To stop serving and sit at the feet of Jesus and receive what he offers.
What is true of Martha is true of you and me at this moment. Jesus sees us, and in many ways, is compassionately pointing out what is true in us and for us. He knows our desire and our struggles. And, he knows the one thing we need to get what we are after.
Martha's story concludes--as many of the Jesus stories do--without a resolution. Will Martha chose the "good portion"? Will she abide, rest herself at Jesus' feet and receive what he offers? To do so would require her to stop her "much serving" for a while, to give up her vision of the ideal. Will she do it? Will we?
Praying that you and I will choose "the good portion, which will not be taken away" (Lk. 10:42b). That we will be willing to stop, to rest, and to receive. And, that we will discover that such abiding is the source of what we desire (Jn. 15:1-17).
Love you, faith family! May our "love of stranger" be in the joy and peace of Jesus. God bless.