ONE THING IS NECESSARY

SERMON PREACHED BY FR. TONY NOBLE ON JULY 22, 2007

Luke 10:41 "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things;

One thing is needful. Mary has chosen the good portion."

Were there ever 2 more famous sisters than Mary and Martha?

+ Martha - the one busy organizing the refreshments, doing the practical things.

+ Mary – just sitting at Our Lord’s feet, hanging on every word he says.

Martha is doing what is necessary – but Jesus says that what Mary is doing is really the one thing necessary.

Ever since Christians have assumed this means that prayer and worship are more important than doing things. A closer examination may lead us to question this assumption.

It is perhaps fortuitous that today is July 22^nd. In the church calendar this is the Feast of St Mary Magdalene. Saints’ days do not usually replace Sundays, so we will transfer it to Tuesday.

Church tradition has associated Mary, the sister of Martha of Bethany, with Mary Magdalene. Some scholars dispute this – but there is much evidence to support the tradition. It is certainly more believable that the 9^th century legend that Mary, Martha and Lazarus sailed to France – where Mary Magdalene’s tomb was supposed to be located. We know what the led to!

Today’s gospel reading is the first of 2 incidents concerning Jesus and the sisters Mary & Martha recorded in the gospels. When we look at it in conjunction with the second account it is difficult not to accept that Mary is indeed Mary Magdalene.

The second occasion is recorded in John 11:1-44. Jesus comes to Bethany because their brother, Lazarus, is dying. In verse 2 St John records: “It was Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment and washed his feet with her hair.” This is a direct reference to Luke 7:36-50. On that occasion Jesus went to a Pharisee’s house for a meal. As soon as he took his place Luke records:

“Behold a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was at table in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, began to wet his feet with her tears, and wiped then with the hair of her head and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.”

Simon, the Pharisee, was scandalized! For when Luke describes her as “a woman of the city who was a sinner”, he means a prostitute.

Thus the church’s symbol for Mary Magdalene is an alabaster jar on a purple background - purple being the color of repentance, and for the sacrament of Reconciliation.

Now obviously Mary Magdalene bursts in on the dinner party because she and Jesus have already met. Everything about her reaction says that she is responding to Jesus out of gratitude and love for something he did. This is revealed by the final words of Jesus:

“I tell you, her sins which are many are forgiven, for she loved much.”

Then Jesus says to her: “Your sins are forgiven.” This is extraordinary to those who do not know the compassionate love of Jesus. But to us who do, we expect no less from Jesus. And we rejoice in his final words: “Your faith has saved you – go in peace.”

Immediately afterwards (Luke 8:2) there is a direct reference to a group of women who followed Jesus, including “Mary Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out.”

It all fits into place. Jesus had rescued Mary from prostitution. This could well be the 7 demons Luke refers to. She expresses her gratitude and love for Jesus by that extraordinary act of anointing his feet. Then she joins his band of followers. Through her Jesus meets her sister Martha and her brother Lazarus. Their home in Bethany becomes a place of retreat for Jesus – a haven. Until that day when Lazarus died.

When we take the unity of the gospel records they make sense of it all – and of today’s story.

Of course Mary just wanted to sit at Jesus’ feet when he called in that day. She was so grateful to him, and knew his power. She just wanted to sit and adore.

Martha, on the other hand, is a bit like the brother of the Prodigal Son. She’s the dependable one, always there. She didn’t rush off to the city to taste the flesh-pots!

And yet on Easter Day – when it all came together – there is no hint of Martha. It is Mary at the tomb who meets the risen Lord – all emotional, just as she was at the Pharisee’s house and when Lazarus died.

The events surrounding Lazarus’ death are a mirror of today’s gospel. Once again Mary is just sitting down. Martha rushes to meet Jesus, declaring: “If only you had been here.” And – ever practical – when Jesus wants to open the tomb Martha is concerned about the smell.

However, the difference between Mary and Martha is not really about prayer vs works. It is actually about 2 types of faith.

Mary represents the faith that goes beyond seeing, hearing, touching. Oh yes, Mary touched Jesus. But her faith came from realizing who he is. It is the faith born of revelation. The true reality that can not be seen.

Martha, on the other hand, represents the faith that is constructed from what we know and do. The faith that is so involved in the things of this world.

That sort of faith misses the fact that what is visible is not enough. That is the point of Jesus’ words: “Mary has chosen the better part.”

Martha had yet to discover that it is an illusion only to follow what is tangible.

And yet, Martha’s practical concerns led to Jesus’ great declaration: “I am the resurrection and the life.”

Mary understood that right from the start – when he restored life and forgave her sins.

And that is why Mary was in the garden on Easter Day with the risen Lord – and not Martha.