Lectionary for July 20, 2025
Sixth Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis 18:1-10; Psalm 15;
Colossians 1:15-28; Luke 10:38-42
It may seem that we are in a unique crisis in the 21st-century United States. Two versions of Christianity (at least!) are fighting with each other for who gets to define Jesus’ mission. Is it Christian nationalism—following the way of power to control and dictate what other people do to be faithful to the way of Jesus? Or is a humbler path that seeks to live a gospel that is good news for the poor and downtrodden more in line with the life of Christ?
Protestant Christians have had different opinions since the earliest days of the Reformation. Let us never forget that while Constantine thought he heard Jesus say, “In this sign (the chi rho) conquer,” Anthony the Great showed a different way of desert living in intentional community beyond the temptation of empire.
In this week’s lectionary passages, we have three examples of how God intends for humans to live.
In the psalm for this week, the writer describes who may live in God’s presence as a citizen of God’s city. The person must speak with integrity and, crucially, may not slander another, do evil to a neighbor or even bring shame on a friend (15:2-3). If someone makes money through lending at interest and if anyone takes bribes to target the innocent, that person is not on a solid foundation (5). One cannot follow God, much less be a leader whom other Christians should follow, if they are known for lying, insulting or shaming others; making use of interest to build a fortune; or receiving financial support to target the innocent people for whom God is most concerned—widows, orphans, the poor and foreigners. The citizen of God’s kingdom is honest, kind, full of financial integrity and committed to justice for everyone.
Martha was Jesus’ good friend and took care of all guests, just like Abraham. Mary was Jesus’ good friend and studied with him as his disciple. Both pathways are how God desires for humans to act.
In Genesis, Abraham demonstrates what it is to live as God intended. When residing as a foreigner in the Canaanite heights, Abraham saw three men approach in the heat of the day. Even though he had just circumcised himself and was recovering, Abraham sprang into action to serve the men without inquiring who they were or how they had come to his camp. Abraham knew that someone coming to visit was reason enough to welcome them, feed them and make himself uncomfortable for their sake. This is how a friend of God behaves.
Finally, we have the examples of Mary and Martha. For a little bit of context, it’s important to remember that Mary and Martha (and Lazarus) were most likely the proprietors of a poorhouse and hospice for pilgrims who couldn’t complete the journey to Jerusalem. The small town of Bethany was probably named after the house that served as a respite for the poor, sick and dying (beth anya should probably be translated as “poorhouse”).
As in many situations in which needs outweigh the resources, Martha (whose name translates as “master”) felt responsible for all who came under her roof and probably worked herself too hard tending to the needs of others. But Mary, her sister, took a break from taking care of people to become a disciple of Jesus. “Sitting at Jesus’ feet” was more than a location—it was a formal term for discipleship (see Acts 22:3). Martha chose to serve, as she did day in and day out, while Mary chose to study with Jesus.
Martha’s choice was fine for her, and we need to be clear on that. But it was not OK when Martha tried to enlist Jesus to return Mary to service and deny her the opportunity to study with the Messiah. Jesus couldn’t abide this coercion. He informed Martha that Mary had chosen “the good part/portion,” which again is an idiom for studying the Torah (M. Berakhot 4:2). Here in Luke, Mary’s choice wasn’t better or worse than Martha’s. Jesus told Martha that she was taking on too much and that focusing on one thing is sufficient. But she didn’t get to take the prerogative from Mary. Martha was Jesus’ good friend and took care of all guests, just like Abraham. Mary was Jesus’ good friend and studied with him as his disciple. Both pathways are how God desires for humans to act.
There are lots of different flavors of Christianity vying for ascendency. Whatever else, Christians who respond to God’s grace by taking care of others, acting justly, welcoming foreigners and living with integrity imitate those who were God’s friends.
