Pentecost 8

THE WORK OF PRAYER

 

SERMON PREACHED BY FR. TONY NOBLE ON July 18^th, 2010

                                                  

Luke 10:41 “Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not

be taken away from her.”

 

Today’s gospel follows directly on from the parable of the Good Samaritan.  When we take this into context, this story of Mary and Martha seems to be teaching us that we need to do the very opposite of that which the parable of the Good Samaritan told us. 

 

You will remember at the conclusion of that parable, Jesus said to the young lawyer, “Go and do likewise.”  It seems to be a command that a Christian should always be prepared to do works of compassion and charity. But today’s story seems to be a stark contrast. 

 

This is the familiar story of the two sisters of Bethany, Mary and Martha.  Like many siblings, they are different, and no doubt, there is a bit of sibling rivalry.  Martha is the practical one; she is always busy doing things, always doing the necessary things.  When Jesus enters the house, she wants to be a good host.  So she’s busy in the kitchen. 

 

In fact, St. Luke says she was “distracted with much serving.”  Some of you may know what that means.  Mary, on the other hand, is not the least bit interested in serving in the kitchen.  She is just sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to him.

 

So Martha complains to Jesus – and I guess we know how she feels.  Here in our Parish we have regular coffee hour, wonderful receptions, and big suppers, that all need to be organized.  We often have a good team of people who know exactly what to do, and they are prepared to do their bit – otherwise, it does not happen.  If it is left to the coordinator or just one or two, it can become a chore rather than a joy.  People can get frustrated, annoyed, or perhaps, like Martha, make the odd complaint. Maybe, if you’re one of those sorts of Martha’s in this Parish, you can sympathize with her.

 

So what does Jesus mean when he says that Mary has chosen the good portion?  A modern translation says, “Mary has chosen the better part.”  This seems to suggest that doing things is not nearly as important as taking time for reflection. Mary, in fact, represents prayer – sitting at the feet of Jesus, as she does.  If that is the case, this would explain what Jesus meant.  Prayer is always the better part, and the good portion. 

 

It’s just that we find it easier to do things like Martha, than to pray like Mary.  It is always easier to be practical, than to find time to concentrate on the Lord.  For those of you who live with families, finding time and space is so difficult. 

 

If we look closely at the parable, Jesus is not criticizing Martha for doing things and being busy in the kitchen – he is reprimanding her for criticizing her sister Mary.  The problem is not that Martha is busy, but that she is critical of her sister.  Perhaps, she’s a bit jealous that Mary has Jesus all to herself.  It does not say.  We do know one thing:  it’s easy to criticize.  Christians are good at it, just like anyone else. 

 

That is why Jesus says, “Mary has chosen the good portion.” When we want to criticize someone, fairly or unfairly, we should first pray for them.  Then we should pray for ourselves that all our remarks may be charitable, with care and compassion – as the parable of the Good Samaritan reminded us. 

 

In the Epistle of St. James, it says in relation to doing things: by your works you will show your faith. In the context of telling us to be doers of the Word and not hearers only, St. James also says these startling words: “If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue, but deceives his heart, this man’s religion is vain.” 

 

These are telling words. You notice for St. James it is a matter of the heart. 

 

So when Jesus reprimands Martha it is because he is concerned for her heart.  And not just her heart, of course, but her soul. 

 

We have three lessons from today’s gospel: 

 

+ Firstly, doing an important job should not mean that we are eager to criticize others who aren’t helping. 

 

+ Secondly, it is our motives we should always check, because they come from the heart.

 

+ Thirdly, sometimes we just have to get on with doing the job – and be happy doing it for the Lord. 

 

These principles are not necessarily Christian principles, but like the parable of the Good Samaritan, there is a Christian dimension.  The Christian dimension of the story of Mary and Martha is that Mary is having an encounter with Jesus.  What could be better than having an encounter with Jesus?  This is definitely the ‘good portion, which cannot be taken away from her.’ 

 

If Martha symbolizes doing things, symbolizes doing good works, then Mary represents the importance of prayer in our lives.  The two go together. To be a whole Christian, you must have both in your life.

 

Of course, it is easy for us to be like Martha and do things – most of us find it difficult to be like Mary and pray. Not just finding the time, the initiative, and a quiet place to pray – we also find it difficult not to be distracted. 

 

Perhaps, like me, you start off wanting to be in the presence of the Lord – but suddenly, you’re thinking of things you want to fix up or need praying about.  Then suddenly, you’re distracted. 

 

We would like to embrace prayer, eagerly, like Mary – but for most of us, it’s a task that requires more work than what Martha was doing in the kitchen.  In comparison, Martha really had it easy! Even she was distracted, as St. Luke says.  So distraction about prayer is part of the story too. 

 

These two sisters remind us, not only of the importance of prayer, but how difficult it is.  Prayer is more than reading a list of names and causes, as we do in the Prayers of the People.  It is opening ourselves to the presence of God and sitting at the feet of Jesus, like Mary. 

 

In the context of just being with Jesus, think how powerful each Eucharist would be if, like Mary, we left everything to one side. Left it at the door before we came in, so that we could have a true encounter with Jesus here!  So we would be like Mary, sitting the feet of Jesus. 

 

Indeed, this is one of the most important purposes of the Blessed Sacrament – that we might come into the presence of Jesus, and just be with him. Here, Sunday-by-Sunday, is the one moment in our busy lives, and in our busy week, when we can sit at the feet of Jesus. 

 

Surely, this is what St. Paul means in I Colossians 1:26 our Epistle today when he says: “The mystery hidden for ages…..but now made manifest to his saints.”