Trust in God above all things

The Rev. Kathi Johnson

Lectionary 16, Year C – 17 July 2016

Text: Luke 10:38-46

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Grand Prairie, Texas

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The other day, I decided to work at home. I got some laundry going, and then I began working on Day Camp details. About the time that I had gotten to a stopping point on the Day Camp work, I heard the washing machine begin to sing – our washer and dryer sing when they are done – so the timing was perfect as I went to the laundry room to switch the laundry around and get another load going.

I settled back into work and when I reached my next stopping point, it was time to let out the dogs and eat some lunch. Done and done. I settled in to work on my sermon for today, with a dog on either side of me, and…there went the dryer, singing away. A few minutes later, the washer sang.

So, there I was, trying to focus on the word of the Lord – and yet the tasks of our household were distracting me. After about a minute and a half of inner wrestling, I decided to leave the laundry and to focus on the writing.

Today’s story from Luke tells us that Jesus is in the home of Martha, visiting her and her sister, Mary. The sisters’ activities are a study in contrast: Martha buzzes around, completing many tasks of hospitality - tasks that are required in order to keep her household running smoothly and provide a welcoming environment for guests. Mary sits at the feet of Jesus, listening to him.

Luke tells us that Martha is distracted away from Jesus by her many tasks, so much so that she eventually tries to get Jesus to get Mary to help her. “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself?” Martha says to Jesus. “Tell her to help me.”

Unfortunately, Martha has turned her focus away from Jesus, and onto herself and her stress about getting things done. Mary, meanwhile, sits at Jesus’ feet, completely focused on him – not worried, not stressed. Jesus commends Mary’s behavior as the “better part.”

The more time I spend with this story of Martha and Mary, the more I realize that while we may tend one way or another, we are all actually some of both. We have two different characters – two different sisters - and so this story has often been used to describe two different types of people: the Marthas who are perpetually busy and getting things done; and the Marys who are the contemplatives, the ones who listen and learn.

But rather than thinking of some people as always being Marthas and other people as always being Marys, I think it is good to see that we are each called to service and hospitality, but we are also each called to take the time to be present with Jesus, listening for whatever it is that God may be trying to tell us.

I must admit that every time I read this story, I get a little annoyed with Jesus because I think of all things that I need to get done: laundry or sermon writing or a community event or family obligations or dirty dishes – my to-do lists can go on and on, both at home and at work, and I’m sure yours can, too. When I think about my own to-do list, I can really relate to Martha.

However, there are times when I relate to Mary, too. There are times when I shut down the list for a while, and I sit in quiet, and I listen for the voice of God.

The struggle for me lies in the in between times – the times in which I feel torn: I am overwhelmed by the real tasks of the world around me, and yet I have the desire to be present with Jesus, listening for his voice. And then there also are times – especially recently – in which the sadness of this world feels like too great of a burden to bear.

And yet this story of Martha and Mary is ultimately a story about trusting in God above all things. In her busy-ness, Martha is doing what is expected of her – she is providing hospitality for her guest. In saying that Mary has chosen the better part, Jesus is inviting Martha to give up her worries and to focus on him. And so we learn that whether we are caught up in busy-ness or taking the time to listen, we are called to trust in God.

Isn’t this a good reminder for all of us – that reminder to trust in God, above all else?

This week, we have the blessing to serve as hosts to children from our community during our annual week of Day Camp. There are many hours of hard work that have gone into preparing for this week, and there will be many hours of hard work this week during the camp. During these busy times, it is easy to be sucked into the many tasks, and to lose sight of Jesus altogether. Whether you are helping with Day Camp or not, you have your own lists to keep you busy and distracted, and you have your own burdens to bear.

But it is the grace of God that allows us to be in relationship with God, and it is this relationship with God that sustains us. I hope and pray that, whatever this week may bring, we can each take time to be present with Jesus for a while, listening to his voice.

Let us pray: Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, but always to your glory and the welfare of your people, through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Amen.

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