July 17, 2022 – Pentecost +6C, Luke 10:38-42

Now as [Jesus and his disciples] went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:38-42

This text is a great text to follow on the heels of last week’s story of the Good Samaritan.  You see last week’s story began with a “certain man” and today’s story begins with a “certain woman.” The story of the Good Samaritan is told to a lawyer who wants to know the answer to this question:  “And who is my neighbor that I am to love?”  Jesus explains through the powerful parable that love should not have societal or religious boundaries — and the lawyer — and in fact all of us who call ourselves disciples are told to “Go and do likewise – show mercy to all in need”.  Now here we are, just one week later, and we have the story of Mary and Martha – Martha who is the wonderful hostess, who in serving is busy and distracted – and Mary who decides not to be a wonderful hostess, but instead sits at the feet of Jesus. Jesus says in response to Martha’s complaint about her “lazy” sister that Mary has chosen the better part in choosing to sit and listen to Jesus – and not to be distracted by societal or cultural “expectations.” One story tells us to go and do – the other to sit and listen. The clue for us today is to determine when it is the right time to do either – for the life of a disciple requires both. 

Mary, while not being a good hostess, is a faithful disciple, and she learns at the feet of Jesus – yet most likely she will have to deal with an angry sister for the next few weeks. Martha, while being a good hostess, is distracted from being a faithful disciple, and receives a slight rebuke from Jesus.  Sometimes we must forget about what others will think, and instead listen to what G-d is calling us to do – or to hear.

To love G-d will all of our heart and to love our neighbors as ourselves means that we must often reject society’s rules and roles in favor of the code of G-d’s kingdom – where there are no distinctions or boundaries restricting G-d’s love. Yes, we may, like Martha often find ourselves in a “no win” situation – but the time we spend with Jesus will sustain us through all of the other roles that seek to tear us apart.

Pastor Dave

July 16, 2022 — Words of Wisdom, Terry Pratchett (English Satirist)

“In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.” – Terry Pratchett

“Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, “Athenians, I see how extremely spiritual you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, ‘To an unknown god.’ What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things.” Acts 17:22-25

To An Unknown God

Paul was so taken by the altar to an “Unknown God” that he chose to address the presence of this altar with the Athenians. His words drip with sarcasm when he says “I see how extremely spiritual you are…” They are so spiritual they have an altar to something that does not exist – just to hedge their bets.

We live in the very presence of Jesus Christ, the Son of our Living G-d. G-d makes G-d’s presence known to us through the Son and the Holy Spirit. Even though we cannot see the Father, we know Jesus is present in the sacraments of the church, in the words that we read, in the water of our baptism — all through the power of the Holy Spirit.

We do not worship an unknown G-d. We worship a crucified and risen G-d whose presence is with us every day in all that G-d has made – in the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Let us pray,

Lord Jesus, you make yourself known to us in the word, in the breaking of the bread, in the wine and in the water. Come to me now and be present with me every day. Amen.

Pastor Dave