Episode 937
Mary and Martha: A Study in Gender Roles and Liberation
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
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- Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
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Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)
The exploration of Luke 10:38-42 serves as a profound examination of traditional gender roles within religious contexts, particularly focusing on the narrative of Mary and Martha. The essence of this discourse emphasizes the revolutionary act of Mary, who defies societal expectations by choosing to sit at the feet of Jesus, a position traditionally reserved for male disciples. This act not only signifies her pursuit of spiritual and intellectual growth, but also challenges the patriarchal structures that have historically marginalized women's contributions in both spiritual and communal spheres. As we delve into this passage, we are invited to reflect on the implications of gender liberation, questioning how such a radical choice can inspire us to dismantle oppressive systems that limit the roles and opportunities available to women in our communities. The discussion further highlights the importance of creating spaces where marginalized voices can be heard and valued, allowing for a reimagining of what it means to engage in spiritual learning and leadership.
Takeaways:
- This podcast emphasizes the importance of challenging traditional gender roles in religious contexts.
- We explore how Jesus affirmed Mary's choice to learn, breaking societal norms of the time.
- The discussion encourages listeners to view rest as a form of resistance against oppressive systems.
- We are invited to reflect on how we can create equitable spaces for marginalized voices.
- The episode presents actionable steps to incorporate intentional rest into our daily lives and communities.
- Lastly, we highlight the significance of valuing spiritual growth equally alongside physical labor in our society.
Links referenced in this episode:
Companies mentioned in this episode:
- voiceofgoddaily.com
Transcript
Dr. Brad Miller here with Daily Bible Refresh, your daily walk into the New Testament of the Bible from a progressive perspective.
Speaker A:We read from the Revised Common Lectionary the verses of Scripture selected from for this very day.
Speaker A:We do so in a way that is understandable.
Speaker A:We use the message version of the Bible relatable.
Speaker A:We give you three points to ponder and applicable.
Speaker A:We give you an action steps to follow.
Speaker A:We have a prayer.
Speaker A:We do all of that in under 10 minutes or so.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com that is the home of the ABC 1, 2, 3 Bible study method.
Speaker A: ion years a million people by: Speaker A:We invite you to join us.
Speaker A: reading for the day from Luke: Speaker A:Jesus entered a village and a woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home.
Speaker A:She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the master, hanging on every word he said.
Speaker A:But Martha was pulled away by all by all that she had to do in the kitchen.
Speaker A:Later she stepped in, interrupting them.
Speaker A:Master, don't you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me?
Speaker A:Tell her to lend me a hand.
Speaker A:The master said, martha, dear Martha, you're fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing.
Speaker A:One thing only is essential and Mary has chosen it.
Speaker A:It's the main course and won't be taken from her.
Speaker A:A powerful passage of Scripture here about challenging the roles that we have in life.
Speaker A:Gender roles, other roles.
Speaker A:We have traditional roles in life and gives us a radical vision of rest and resistance.
Speaker A:So we find here Jesus challenging the social norms of the day by affirming Mary's choice to study as a disciple, a role traditionally reserved only for men, and while offering a profound teaching about the relationship between work, rest and liberation.
Speaker A:So let's take a look at some points to ponder.
Speaker A:The first is about gender liberation.
Speaker A:Mary breaks gender norms by sitting at Jesus feet.
Speaker A:That's the traditional position of a disciple, one who listens and learns.
Speaker A:And Jesus explicitly defends her right to religious education and spiritual authority.
Speaker A:This isn't just about an individual choice, but it's also about dismantling patriarchal systems that limit women's roles.
Speaker A:So how do we continue this work of breaking down gender barriers in religious spaces is one question to ask.
Speaker A:Another point to make here is about rest as resistance.
Speaker A:Martha's busyness reflects how how systems of oppression often keep us too exhausted to engage in deeper transformation.
Speaker A:Jesus response isn't a criticism of service, but an invitation to resist the tyranny of endless productivity in our be productive or burnout culture.
Speaker A:How might rest might become an act of resistance?
Speaker A:The third point is about redefining essential work.
Speaker A:Jesus calls Mary's choice the main course, suggesting that spiritual and intellectual growth are as essential as physical labor.
Speaker A:This challenges both patriarchal divisions of labor and capitalistic definitions of productive work.
Speaker A:How do we create communities that value different forms of contribution equally?
Speaker A:Here's your action steps.
Speaker A:Practice sacred resistance rest, I.e.
Speaker A:schedule periods of intentional rest into your day, into your week and notice who in your community carries heavy labor burdens and work to somehow redistribute care so that people can take on these tasks more equitably, create space for marginalized voices in spiritual discussion and support other people's right to rest and study.
Speaker A:Remember, rest can be revolutionary when it challenges oppressive systems we're gonna have a prayer here in just a minute.
Speaker A:I just want to share with you that we have an incredible resource for you which will help you in your daily Bible study.
Speaker A:You just head over to our website voiceofgoddaily.com several links there for you to click on it and get our our Bible Study which is called the ABC 123 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A:It really makes it straightforward.
Speaker A:ABC 123 just like it sounds, it will help you on your daily Bible study which you use in coordination with what we do here in the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Let's pray.
Speaker A:Oh God, you are the divine challenger of norms.
Speaker A:When systems tell us to stay busy, give us courage to choose rest.
Speaker A:When tradition limits our roles, help us break free into new ways of being.
Speaker A:Teach us to value all forms of work, to share burdens more fairly and to defend each other.
Speaker A:To learn, grow and simply be.
Speaker A:Make our rest revolutionary, our learning liberated and liberating and our communities places where we can all choose the better part.
Speaker A:Amen.
Speaker A:Well my good friends, always pleasure to be with you here at Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:My joy to serve you.
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Speaker A:Getting the audible word of God into two millionaires.
Speaker A: a progressive perspective by: Speaker A:We'll be back with you tomorrow.
Speaker A:Please subscribe to the podcast and ask others to join us.
Speaker A:We'll see you tomorrow here on the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:My name is Dr. Brad Miller.
Speaker A:Remember that God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
