It is remarkable that stories about women survived to be included in the gospels. First told 2000+years ago in a patriarchal society and passed down through decades of spoken storytelling before being written down, these stories could easily have forgotten or excluded simply because they do not focus on male players in the story.
This week’s gospel tells the story of Jesus’ encounter with sisters Martha and Mary and includes some surprising details. Martha welcomes Jesus. As she hurries around tending to the many hosting responsibilities that typically fall to women, she is irritated that Mary sits at Jesus’ feet listening and absorbing what Jesus is saying. While her sister Martha is serving the guests, Mary has taken the typical place of a male disciple – at the teacher’s feet. Martha complains to Jesus that she is working alone and asks him to tell Mary to get up and help her. Jesus acknowledges Martha’s struggle, suggests she simplify her expectations and tasks, and makes it clear that Mary is welcome to listen and learn.
This is one of the many places in the gospels where Jesus crosses boundaries. In his time and place, gender roles were rigid and distinct. Women were not typically welcome to be disciples of important teachers. The original audience of this story would have certainly expected Jesus to agree with Martha and move Mary into the more “appropriate” role for a woman, serving and hosting. Jesus instead welcomes Mary to fully embrace the role of disciple.
Humans repeatedly create boundaries and rigid rules, categories, and strict hierarchies. Jesus breaks them down. Jesus continually makes it clear that all are welcome in his community and the outside rules do not apply. There are no categories or hierarchies with Jesus. All are welcome to follow. He dismisses and breaks boundaries that limit or exclude. Gender, race, age, social status, wealth, nationality, GPA, major, credit score, health or any other distinction do not dictate our role in the community or keep us from following Jesus. Jesus makes it clear he is here for everyone.
Peace,