Sister act: Alison Richards considers Mary and Martha

‘Stepping aside from the daily routine can allow all of us space for some Mary-time.’

Before Yearly Meeting, I was reflecting on the questions posed by the theme: ‘We have been asked to consider how we can release our energy, revitalise our communities and follow the leading of the spirit.’ My thoughts turned to the short episode in Luke’s gospel (10:38-42), where Jesus visits the house of friends in Bethany. There are two sisters at the house: Martha, who makes great efforts to prepare the home, and Mary, who simply sits and listens to Jesus.

Many of us will have felt sympathy with Martha, and recognised the impulse to do what we can to welcome an honoured guest. Yet the name, and term, ‘Martha’ has become synonymous with domestic drudgery. Perhaps this is because ‘Martha-work’ can be repetitive and unexciting. Whether it’s cleaning, cooking or caring at home, maintenance, admin and committees in our Meetings, or tasks that feel cyclical and humdrum in our workplaces, it’s not uncommon for Martha-work to fill all available space, without bringing much joy or energy. I often meet Quakers who feel burdened by the tasks and responsibilities that fall upon us, and have no energy to undertake anything else. It can be hard to see beyond the day-to-day business required to keep a home, a Meeting, or a workplace functioning. So how do we feel when Jesus responds to Martha’s frustration by commending Mary’s choices?

I reside at the Quaker community in Bamford, where there is always Martha-work that needs doing. The tasks are many and they are generally mundane. But we also have the privilege of starting and ending each day with Meeting for Worship. As we worship together in ‘Mary-time’, largely in silence, we have space to let go of our tasks and demands and listen – listen to the birds outside, the wind in the trees, each other breathing, and the passing trains. And then listen more deeply, and hope to hear the leadings of the spirit.

When people come to stay with us, we often see their shoulders drop and their breathing deepen. Sometimes they express a sense of peace or renewal. We, of course, are still busy with our Martha-work around them, but the sense of relaxation and calm can be nourishing for us too, and brings depth to our worship.

Stepping aside from the daily routine can allow all of us space for some Mary-time. That might mean attending Yearly Meeting, or a regional gathering of Friends, or perhaps something less structured. It may also be the time we spend in worship, however and wherever we do this.

In 1658 George Fox advised early Friends to ‘be still and cool in thy own mind and spirit from thy own thoughts’. I don’t doubt that finding stillness, or Mary-time, is as needed now as it was then, as we seek to release our energy and follow the leadings of the spirit.

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Comments

Thanks. Nice ministry, Friend.

By Linda Murgatroyd on 31st May 2023 - 23:58

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