Sermon

St. Philip's Episcopal Church, Durham, NC

July 22, 2007 - Proper 11 (Year C)

The Rev. Vicki L. Smith

Luke 10:38-42

I have been with you here at St. Philip’s a few weeks short of year – and it’s been quite a time.  I suspect that you probably feel as I do, like we’ve been pedaling a bicycle uphill for months.  We haven’t had to get off and walk but I think we’ve been tempted. The pedaling has been difficult and sometimes we’ve slowed down but the pedals kept turning and we’ve kept moving.  We’ve continued to gather in worship and fellowship; we’ve continued to learn with and from each other and we’ve continued to serve God in a wonderful variety of ministries, inside and outside St. Philip’s.

Now, I think we’re at the top of the hill and heading down. We’re starting to gather speed and beginning the feel the wind in our hair.  St. Philip’s is pretty much done saying goodbye and it is almost time to say hello – hello to a new building and hello to a new rector. 

As a parish, and as individuals, you should be proud of your endurance and the good grace with which you have come through this last year.  You are a healthy and strong church with committed and skillful leaders – that’s very clear – and at the mid-year meeting this morning you will hear more about what to expect in the next weeks and months.  You will hear facts and figures from the treasurer, updates from the search committee and plans and hopes from other leaders.  You’ll also see pictures of the construction and have the opportunity to eat ice cream.  What more could one want from a meeting?  Please plan to be there.

It is a always an extra little blessing when the Bible lessons for the day fit so well with our schedule – as they have today.  What better day could there be for St. Philip’s to hear the story of Martha and Mary?  This is a great day for us to think a little more about discipleship, about doing and praying and following Jesus.

The story of Martha and Mary is so, so familiar to most of us.  We’ve heard it a multitude of times and we’ve probably already figured out who we identify with – I’m a Martha – I like to do things, organize things, cross things off my list and feel accomplished.  I find it harder to be a Mary – to sit quietly, listen and learn.  At a rough guess, I’d say probably 80 percent of us are busy Marthas – gentlemen, you too can be Marthas and Marys, too – while only a few are contemplative Marys. 

One challenge with understanding today’s story of Martha and Mary is that we read it all by itself, instead of in context and because we do that, we miss a major part of the point. 

Earlier in this chapter of his gospel, Luke recounts the story of the young man who is seeking to understand what it means to follow Jesus.  “What should I do?” he says.  “The law says love God with all your heart and mind and soul and love your neighbor as yourself – but who is my neighbor?  What, exactly, do I have to do?”

Jesus than tells him the story of the Good Samaritan and the young man learns what it means to be a neighbor, to love and care for others.  And Jesus says, “Go and do likewise.”

Then we have the interesting contrast that in the very next passage, Jesus criticizes Martha for doing too much, for being too busy and not being like Mary, listening to his teaching. 

Martha and Mary are the two sides of discipleship – Mary representing loving God and Martha, loving others.  Mary is listening, Martha is doing and both are essential to true discipleship.  What sounds like, and probably is, criticism of Martha is a reminder to those of us who are so busy that Mary understands something very important about following Jesus – that it is not all doing, but also listening. 

We Marthas have a hard time hearing that, especially if our busy-ness is with good works.  It is easy for us to get so involved in doing that we forget why we are doing and in whose name.  Just as in last week’s lesson Jesus reminded us of the need to serve and care in his name, so this week’s lesson reminds us that Mary is not a slacker, she is not lazy – she is the embodiment of the commandment to love God and she understands something that we Marthas often don’t. 

The reality is that we need both Martha and Mary – within ourselves and within our church.  Either one is ineffective without the other.  Without prayers and listening to Jesus, our work becomes meaningless and perhaps even misdirected.  Without doing the work, our prayer can become little more than self-indulgence.  We don’t choose to be Martha or Mary, we seek to be both.

That is especially true at this time in the life of St. Philip’s.  If you are a Martha, step up – keep doing what you’ve been doing and maybe take on something new – there are opportunities and needs in programming, outreach, leadership and ministries of all sorts.  Step up to it.

And Marys – kneel down – keep on praying and listening to God’s guidance.  St. Philip’s is on the edge of an adventure here and being sure that we follow Jesus in this is more important than ever. Wear out those knees in prayer.

And then, every so often, switch places – for the good of your souls and for the good of St. Philip’s.  Doing and praying – that is the true Christian call.

© 2006, Saint Philip's Episcopal Church
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 218, Durham, NC 27702
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