A Lesser Part?

Gospels: John 11: 19-27; Luke 10: 38-42

We have been instructed over the centuries to regard Martha as a lesser figure to her sister Mary, who seemingly chose the better part.  And yet here we are today celebrating Martha's feast day while her sister Mary has no corresponding day.  We have been instructed to view Martha through the lens only of this encounter at her house wherein Jesus rebukes her for her anxiety over many things, an instruction that ignores two important facts.

First, Martha is like many women leaders of the Church in the New Testament.  She, like many other women, make their homes available for the celebration of the Eucharist and other gatherings.  They provided for and presided over the assembly as Martha did in her home.  The second point is that Martha is at the tomb of her brother expressing faith in Jesus and the resurrection while Mary is at home.  Martha utters the very same profession of faith as Peter.  

Just as Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law in his home and she rises to serve others, so Jesus comes to Martha's home to raise up her brother Lazarus.  Martha is no less great than Peter or any other disciple.  Her faithful devotion to the Lord in her hospitality and in her profession of faith in the midst of a hostile crowd who use this occasion to plot against Jesus shows that Martha indeed has chosen the better part and is rewarded for it.