Fifth Sunday after Trinity
“But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself?”
Overview
Today’s readings both concern the role of those who serve, those whose unseen and unsung labours keep the world turning.
Our Old Testament reading, Genesis 18:1-10, is known as the “hospitality of Abraham”, but Abraham does precious little to provide for his guests. It is his elderly wife and unnamed servants who do all the work whilst Abraham is served with his guests. Sarah does not eat or sit with the guests; she does not even enter the tent. In contrast, in Luke 10:38-42, Mary sits at Jesus’ feet alongside the male disciples. What is also significant is that Martha, unlike Sarah, is given a voice. She can raise her concerns about the injustice of her role.
In our lives we are provoked to ponder who is listening to the voices of those whose essential work is often unseen and unsung? Who is inviting them into the conversation to make decisions about how our world and our future could be shaped?
FIRST READING
Genesis 18:1-10
The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing near him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent entrance to meet them, and bowed down to the ground. He said, ‘My lord, if I find favour with you, do not pass by your servant. Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Let me bring a little bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on—since you have come to your servant.’ So they said, ‘Do as you have said.’ And Abraham hastened into the tent to Sarah, and said, ‘Make ready quickly three measures of choice flour, knead it, and make cakes.’ Abraham ran to the herd, and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to the servant, who hastened to prepare it. Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them; and he stood by them under the tree while they ate.
They said to him, ‘Where is your wife Sarah?’ And he said, ‘There, in the tent.’ Then one said, ‘I will surely return to you in due season, and your wife Sarah shall have a son.’ And Sarah was listening at the tent entrance behind him.
GOSPEL READING
Luke 10:38-42
Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.’ But the Lord answered her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.’
