Holy Week Reflections: Tuesday

Tuesday April 4 2023

On Holy Tuesday, the Rev Roddy Hamilton reflects on the story of Mary and Martha

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As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:38-42

It was a place of hospitality;
Where discussions took place;
Debates evolved;
Faith was argued over.

After the palm parade, the table-turning, each evening
Jesus found himself back in Bethany
With Mary and Martha.

But did he need more debate?
Was his mind not already made up?
Was he not fulfilling a plan?

This house, filled with friends,
Was a place of exploration,
Study,
Parley.

We know it was.

Perhaps that was why he returned each night;
For the honest reflection,
Authentic questions,
Genuine worry.
His hosts debating with him,
Arguing with him,
Worried with him.

Who knows.
But perhaps such honesty from friends
Gave courage for the days ahead.
He needed the dialogue,
The nuanced words,
The compassion that is born in that kind of friendship
That treats you like a real person with real concerns
And shapes the next moment.

Might it be the hospitality given to each evening’s exchanges
(And not the unquestioning embracing of some predetermined plan),
That makes this week so real,
A saviour so edgy,
And a love so dangerous?

God,
Holy God,
May we find faith and courage
Within the uncertainties;
An honest religion
Among rumour and fable;
A Saviour’s real live choices
In debates with others,
To follow love
And know its cost.

God,
Holy God,
May we have a faith
Full of courage
In uncertain times,
And the honesty to believe
Beyond rumour and fable,
Finding a thinking saviour
Choosing to live or die
For what he trusted.

God,
Holy God,
May we have a faith
That lives beyond the easy edge
Of unthinking belief
And tamed faith

Holy Week reflections:
Palm Sunday: You Have to Laugh
Monday: Widow's Mite