Embracing Mary, Affirming Martha

• Tuesday, 20 July 2010 09:10
• Written by Nick Block

In this brief vignette, common courtesy would expect Jesus to affirm the one who welcomes him and his followers into her home and prepares all that is needed to make them comfortable. Our instincts tell us that Mary should help her sister. Yet our instincts also tell us that Jesus should not chide his hostess for suggesting that her sister should help with the work of caring for the guests. If Martha is a bit distracted by her many tasks, should he add insult to injury by praising Mary for choosing "the better part?"  Our primary inclination is to justify what Jesus does. Yet I’ve heard some women say that thought Jesus was just being a jerk.