Luke 10:38-44 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
A woman’s place is in the _________. In Jesus’ day, the answer was easy. Women were socially and ritually separated from men. Women were hidden behind a wall in the synagogue. Women were restricted to the “Court of women” at the Temple which was further from the Holy of Holies which symbolized the presence of God. Women were honored as mothers, but were still considered as “less than” in the social and spiritual hierarchy. Martha seemed to know her place and was uncomfortable with way that Mary has placed herself – at the feet of Jesus as one of Jesus’ disciples.
Today is the first day of Women’s History Month, celebrating the accomplishments and promoting the equality of women. Gender has long been a wall that has excluded women from full participation in social, economic and religious life. The Church has reinforced that wall throughout its history, yet Jesus broke down that wall as evidenced by his refusal to put Mary “back where she belongs” and affirming that she is in the “right place.”
How does Mary’s “placement” of herself and Jesus’ affirmation of her rightful “place” affirm, challenge or shift your ideas about where women belong? Why do you think the church has been so resistant to women being treated as equals both in the church and in society?
Prayer: Lord Christ, in affirming Mary’s place as a disciple, you have broken the wall of gender, giving all women full access to the blessings and opportunities of the kingdom. Forgive us, O Head of the Church, for reinforcing and rebuilding the wall you demolished. Holy Spirit, open our eyes to the truth that in God’s new humanity, gender is no longer a factor to be considered. Remind us daily that women and men are equal partners in the new creation, and help us to act and advocate in ways that are consistent with that truth, just like Jesus, in whose name we pray. Amen.
Tongue on Fire 