(Ref. Texts: Gen 18:1–10; Col 1:24–28; Luke 10:38–42)
“Distractions can take us in an exciting direction but most often borrow our attention briefly without much resistance and take their sweet time giving it back. Distractions lure us in with an easy escape and then trick us by stealing our attention” (T. Stiles).
Introduction
In this Sunday Gospel reading, Jesus continues his teachings on the kingdom of God and the condition for inheriting it; and on why some people work their way away from eternal life. Last Sunday Gospel (cf. Luke 10:25–37) ended in verse 37. And this Sunday Gospel begins from verse 38 of the same chapter. In other words, the story of Jesus in the home of Martha and Mary complements the story of the Good Samaritan, which immediately precedes it in the Gospel according to Luke. To be noted also is that both stories are unique to Luke. Remember, Jesus is still on his way to Jerusalem (cf. Luke 9:51), the climax of his mission and where he will x‑ray the religious formality and injustice of the Jewish people and the crookedness of religious and civil authorities. These were distractions from that which matters. Hence, the theme of this reflection – Avoiding distractions.
While the story of the Samaritan opens with the words “a certain man”, this Sunday reading opens with the words “a certain woman named Martha.” What is the similarity between the two stories? Like the Samaritan, Mary, a woman, is a marginalized person in the Jewish society. Both Mary and the Samaritan do what is not expected of them in such society. As a woman, Mary would be expected, like Martha, to prepare hospitality for a guest. Here again Jesus breaks with the social conventions of his time. Just as a Samaritan would not be a model for neighbourliness, so a woman would not sit with the men around the feet of a teacher. We must break with those discriminatory social, moral, cultural, religious, political and economic conventions of our time. It is the only way to prove we have understood the message of the Gospel.
Showing hospitality
“Now as they went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home” (Luke 10:38). According to its general dictionary definition, hospitality is the act or practice of being hospitable. It is the selfless reception and entertainment of strangers or guests. In my own understanding, hospitality is the kindness in welcoming others. Those others could be friends, relatives, colleagues, foreigners or strangers. It is a cordial reception. In Romans 12:13, Paul urged the Roman Christians to contribute to the needs of the holy ones (fellow believers), and to practice hospitality. Hospitality was in fact, very important for the early Christians. The reason is that most of them could not afford hotels or lodging houses when traveling, hence, they depended on the provision and goodness of fellow believers. For the Ancients, hospitality was sacred. Welcoming someone was like welcoming God or God’s messenger or messengers. The case of Abraham in Genesis 18:1–10 (cf. First Reading) is a typical example. By welcoming those three men, who were God’s angels (messengers), Abraham and Sarah his wife attracted God’s blessing to themselves, a blessing that changed their situation as regards progeny. Hospitality is a disposition, especially of the heart. It is a way of life inculcated in the people. Hospitality is part of every people’s culture. How hospitable are you?
During his salvific activities, Jesus visited and received hospitality from people including his family friends. Those visits and meetings offered him the opportunity to teach, instruct, direct and re-direct the people (including the present generation) on the right way and right attitude to live their lives and attain salvation. Jesus had special affinity with the family of Lazarus, Martha and Miriam (cf. John 11:5). Luke makes him visit his family friends on his way to Jerusalem, an opportunity he could not miss because once he enters Jerusalem, they may not have him again in their family. His visiting them was a way of greeting them and bidding them farewell too. It was especially an occasion to teach believers the need to concentrate on those things or on that particular thing that really counts. The circumstance notwithstanding, never ceases from showing hospitality to people, even when it is not appreciated. Good must be done, not because people acknowledge and appreciate it, but because it is good and must be done.
Avoiding distractions
By distraction, I do not mean someone, a thing or an entertainment that provokes pleased interest and distracts you from worries and vexations. Instead, by distraction is meant drawing your attention away from what really matters. It is obstacle to attention. In the conversation between Jesus and the lawyer as recorded in Luke 10:21–37, with the story of the man who fell in the hands of the hoodlums, Jesus taught the lawyer and all believers, that theoretical and blind obedience to the law were serious hindrances and distractions to the pursuit of eternal life. Jesus’ visit to his friends’ house, offered him another opportunity to reiterate this message. The pursuit of the kingdom of God should not be second to anything. But Martha did not understand this. She was too distracted with worldly matters to the extent she even wanted to quarrel with her sister Miriam. The journey towards eternal life abhors distractions. Distraction could be internal or external. Unfortunately, many people are so distracted that they lose focus in life. Misplacement of priority and value is a serious sign of distraction. Many people fail in life because they are distracted. Distraction is placing a keg in the wheel of success.
Which is preferable?
When Jesus entered the home of Lazarus, Martha and Miriam, and Martha welcomed him, Luke notes that “she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted by her many servings; so she came to him and asked, Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Tell her then to help me” (Luke 10:39–40). Which is preferable? Active life or contemplative life? I do not want to go into the argument that Martha represents active life while Miriam represents contemplative life. This is the opinion of some people. This sounds good but the reason for the story is completely another. The Greek text says Martha was periespato peri pollēn diakonian – ‘distracted with much serving.’ The Greek word periespato is the indicative passive imperfect of the verb perispaomai. In the passive sense, this verb means to be pulled away; to be dragged away, to be or to become distracted, hence, to be overburdened. Now, the imperfect condition indicates Martha was shuttling between the kitchen and listening to Jesus. She made herself jack-of-all-trades and master of none. Martha could be compared to the Personality Type Seven of the Enneagram – the Enthusiast (or Epicure according to some), who are always on the go, pursuing one experience after another, and keeping themselves entertained and engaged with their many ideas and activities. Such people are always tensed and easily agitated.