Mary or Martha of Bethany?

If you worshipped Sunday in a church where the pastor follows the lectionary in her or his preaching, you heard the story of Mary and Martha.  Better yet, Mary or Martha?  More often than not, the thrust of the sermon was to be more like Mary than Martha.  I know this because it has been my take on this story until recently.

Jesus certainly commended Mary as choosing wisely in the moment.  But Jesus understood Martha and cared for her also.

We can learn from both Mary and Martha.  The point of the story is never "either-or."  Perhaps it is better to ask that we might combine the better qualities of both women.

When I visit the Roman Church at Bethany, I often stand and admire the mosaics over its entrance.  There are three, one each for Mary, Martha, and Lazarus.  Jesus often visited their home in Bethany in the course of his visits to Jerusalem.  One of my favorite Bible commentaries hints that Jesus liked Martha's cooking.

I smile at the creativity of the artist in depicting the sisters.  Mary is pictured in the traditional posture of prayer, open to the Word of God in Jesus.  Martha assumes the "hand-on-hip disdain" of one who has too much to do in the moment to pray or listen to the Rabbi.  Certainly the body-language here supports the common thrust of much of today's interpretation and preaching.

Once again, Mary or Martha of Bethany?  Who is the model of discipleship?  Or is it both to a degree?  What say ye preacher?