Rev. John Campoli, i.v.dei
His Love Ministries

Martha or Mary?

by Deacon Jim Mackintosh

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My great-grandmother was born in Italy in  1898. She came to the United States in 1902.  The journey by passenger ship was arduous; her younger brother died during the crossing and was buried at sea. Great Granny was a wonderful cook, and my sisters spent a lot of time trying to learn recipes from her. Much like Martha, they wanted to learn how to cook and prepare meals that they would enjoy for their future. I was more like Mary; I used to sit at her table and ask questions about things she remembered. I was fascinated by her story, particularly the memories she had of Theodore Roosevelt, who was president when she was a little girl. About the challenge of raising 13 children during the great depression, and how she did it.   I wasn't totally foolish; she taught me how to make homemade manicotti with a tomato gravy flavored with pepperoni, which is one of my son's favorites at Christmas. As time went on, strangely, I became a repository of her history, answering questions from my siblings about things she shared with me. Much like Mary, I  believed words were more important than recipes.
Today's gospel tells us that when Jesus entered the house in the village where the two sisters lived, Martha bustled around to ensure that everyone had something to drink, and that the dishes were ready to be used and filled. Mary, on the other hand, sat at Jesus' feet and listened to everything He said. When Martha complained that she was doing all the work and Mary was only doing the listening, Jesus said Mary is doing what she feels is important, don't take it from her.  In his epistle, James tells us that faith without works is dead, and that faith compels us to do works that benefit others. Jesus is telling Martha that deeds require faith. Jesus is reminding Martha that deeds can be seen as self-aggrandizing and not an extension of faith.
Looking at the church today, I can't help but think what a blessing it is that we have people who follow Martha and people who follow Mary. Countless hospitals, schools, Shelters, and food banks are staffed by people who approach every situation they see with the heart and industry of Martha.    In our parishes, it is those who follow Martha who ensure the proper  Liturgical colors are on the altar, and that the communion bread is waiting in the ciborium to be consecrated. Those of us who follow Mary serve as lectors, cantors, study theology, and some of us have the privilege to proclaim and explain the gospels. Without these two legs, the church as we know it could not stand, let alone move forward into a world that needs it so desperately.
To me, the most incredible part of mass is when the two unite, Like Hands in prayer to welcome Jesus to the altar. It does not matter if we are the Marthas who prepared the altar and the sacred bread or the Marys who proclaim and explain the word of God . We all come forward in humility and need. We all recognize the beautiful gift of receiving Jesus, body, blood, soul, and divinity into ourselves. This, my friends, is indeed what is most important.