Few passages elicit a more emotional response from women than the Luke 10 story of Mary and Martha. As a spiritual director, when I meet with someone new, I often start with a Lectio Divina on that passage. Initially, my purpose in choosing this passage was to explore what the “one thing” is that Jesus claims Mary has found and how to pursue it. But I hold my intentions loosely, and I have found that what actually happens as we reflect on the passage is often much more interesting and revealing.
Come away this summer for Corhaven’s women’s retreat, “Women Who Touched Jesus”. Receive the gift of a 24-hour break from your busy life to learn through and with other women and to give Jesus some extended attention. Risk reaching out and encountering that “one thing” your heart most longs for. Learn more and register here.
Sometimes, there is annoyance that I have chosen an over-familiar passage. They want to hear something fresh. But knowing that Lectio Divina can help us get past a priori assumptions, I urge them to lean in. We are looking for what Jesus wants to say to them today, in this space and time. However, in this particular story, many women cannot get past the ubiquitous and well-meaning teachings that have left them feeling defeated rather than motivated. Sometimes they want to defend Martha — and thereby themselves—from what they feel is an unfair attack. Sometimes they are frustrated that Mary presents an unattainable model. Rather than seeing Jesus, they are overwhelmed by condemning voices: “Stop being busy Martha, and start being pious Mary,” AND still do all those many things you are required to do. And thus, we find ourselves after all at the perfect place to begin spiritual direction. “What do you want to say to Jesus right now?” I ask.
Jesus defends Mary’s right to sit at His feet, to be a disciple. That is good news for women. Maybe you identify with something in Mary’s story. But He sees Martha too. He is discipling her just as much. There is no danger of scarcity in His love. What is really going on between Martha and Jesus? What is going on between You and Jesus?
Women often feel criticized for being “too emotional”. First off, stereotypes don’t always fit; not all women are overtly emotional and men can be plenty emotional too. Secondly, emotions are a wonderful gift that serve as important signposts to something that our rational mind might be slower to grasp. Everyone has emotions, but we don’t all recognize or exhibit them in the same way. A wise person (man or woman) will take note of them. What is this visceral reaction trying to tell us? Stuffing or ignoring emotions misses a valuable opportunity to flush out toxic lies and misguided affections, or heed Spirit-inspired warnings. Paying attention to reactions and emotions can empower a more positive, transformational response. In hearing these stories, does anything rise up in you?
Discovering who we most identify with and what each story evokes in us can allow us to hear Jesus’ particular voice of love for us too. Our Creator knows what each person He encounters needs and what she is capable of. It touches His heart when His beloved pushes past everything that wants to hinder her from seeing Him, from pursuing Him, and from reaching for Him. Once she recognizes what those hindrances are, they begin to dissolve with her resolve to gain Christ. Then she finds that He is right there waiting with open arms, ready to fight for her.
Rather than offering sermons and teaching that you’ve already heard, during our 24 hr women’s retreat Women Who Touched Jesus, we will meditate on several stories of women encountering Jesus in unique ways. All of them touched Jesus, eliciting a loving response. His response to you will be just what you need too.
Zoe Hansen is a spiritual director based in Harrisonburg, Virginia, who works with Church of the Lamb, an Anglican church that she helped to start. She is married to Scott, who is also a spiritual director, and has four grown children. She can’t get enough of learning about theology and the Word of God, but only insofar as it leads her closer to grasping the great love of her Lord Jesus. Find out more about her work at www.zoehansen.org.