Martha, Martha, Martha…
Church people.
Martha had to be annoying, don’t you think? Talk about a Church lady! I don’t have much more to say about her than that however.
While continuing to suffer blogger-burn-out, and weariness with “Church-stuff” - which has little to do with authentic religion, faith and devotion - I sometimes have to wonder how Christ endured the company of men - indeed, endures all of us now. Jesus even lamented this in the Gospel when he said, ”How long must I endure this generation?” - or something to that effect. (No need to try and answer this for me, please. We all have answers, don’t we?)
At Open Book, Amy Welborn has probably one of the best posts I have ever read concerning this issue - written by her or anyone else for that matter. The post is titled, Religion: A Test of Faith- I highly recommend it. It isn’t the know-it-all, I-have-all-the-answers type of stuff one normally reads in books or on blogs.
Taming of the shrew.
Back to Martha and Mary - Jesus might just as well have said to Martha, “Bitch, bitch, bitch - so you are all about the hospitality ministry - shut up and mind your own business - leave Mary alone. Oy! What a kvetch!” (But our Lord is charity itself, and he wouldn’t have said that - I would have.)
You see, it isn’t so much a question of the active and contemplative life here - it’s about keeping our focus upon Christ - no matter what we are doing - keeping our eyes fixed upon Jesus, who inspires and perfects our faith.
(I’m still on hiatus for awhile - a few hours, a few days? I don’t know.)
July 22nd, 2007 at 12:16 pm
“Love one another as I have loved you.”
I’ve always thought that Mary should have made some of the “best part” available to her sister, Martha. She could have offered to wash the dishes, at least.
July 22nd, 2007 at 1:59 pm
Terry, I know you’re burned out right now, and I most definitely sympathize, but please don’t diss St. Martha. Besides St. Peter, she was the only disciple who made a profession of faith in Jesus - remember, when Lazarus died?
Yes, she got a little carried away this one time with trying to be a good hostess (haven’t we all?) but she loved the Lord very much.
Take care.
July 22nd, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Terry, when I read your previous post I thought you were really going on a retreat, as in going to a monastery for a few days of quiet and contemplation; and I was envious. I see now that you just meant a break from blogging. Actually quiet time at a monastery doesn’t sound like a bad idea, I’ll have to think about that.
July 22nd, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Ray - That is probably why Martha was pissed, Mary just sat around all day surfing the net. LOL!
Robin - I agree - which is why Martha is a saint. I really like to imagine Jesus pretty much directing Martha - and everyone else - to this one point: Keep your attention on the Master, no matter what you are doing, busy doing one’s job or sitting in prayer.
Melody - No monastery - just working in the garden trying to figure out the meaning of life.
July 22nd, 2007 at 3:04 pm
Terry, good link to Amy Welborn. I tend to read the blogs of more obscure Catholics but that was worth the read.
I always enjoy the Mary/Martha Gospel. It reminds me that I need to spend more time praying and at Adoration than on all those freaking church committees I sit on.
July 22nd, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Terry:
I actually got to listen to the priest’s homily today (kids were fairly quiet). Of course, it was all about St. Martha and her anxiety. I fret about distant relations coming to my house, but to have Jesus and His Mother (her own sister) be the guests would cause even that other Martha, Ms. Stewart, to pull her hair out. Oy is right.