Yeah, But Who's Making Supper?

Today’s reading is from Luke 10, continuing our series of readings from Luke as Jesus moves toward Jerusalem, and it’s the story of Jesus staying at the home of Mary and Martha. Mary sits with Jesus and listens to what he has to say while Martha prepares the dinner. Then Martha comes in to complain that she’s been left with all the work. Nancy Parker begins her sermon describing this as a pillow fight with a broken lamp and a black eye with Martha as a doer and Mary as one who loves. She recalls that sometimes people are asked whether they’re a Martha or a Mary, but it isn’t an either/or situation. In his response to Martha, Jesus replies, “Martha, Martha,” an attempt to draw her from all the distractions to what is central. Nancy leads us through several possible interpretations, including a piece from a 16th century book where a monk feels the presence of God when he is washing dishes. We are invited both to love God and to serve God.