Sermon for the 7th Sunday after Trinity

Sunday 22nd July 2007

Preached by Rev Brian Parker

Take a seat

When Jesus and his disciples – and remember there were probably more than 70 disciples with Jesus at the time – when they arrived on Martha’s doorstep after their journey from Galilee they were hungry and tired and in need of some refreshment.

Martha was ready to offer them hospitality. It was going to take some doing but she was prepared to take it on while Mary her sister took a seat!

And therein rests the debate about the nature of Christian commitment expressed in actions or contemplation.

Of course it’s a false comparison. There is no black and white answer. The issue is more complex. The truth is that contemplating or listening to the Word of God is never an end in itself. Hearing leads to doing. Hearing the Word of the Lord is inspirational and demanding.

Moreover Christian service by definition is not a laid back, passive, misty-eyed contemplation or an out of this world mystery. It is hearing the Word of the Lord and doing it.

So Martha with “many things” to be getting on with is gently reminded by Jesus that there is “one thing” she must first learn about discipleship and Christian service. She must learn to listen to the Lord.

The theologian William Sykes has written many books on various aspects of spiritual discernment and discipleship. He discovered in later life that listening to God became the bedrock of his vocation

He said: “I gradually became aware of the importance of listening. I realised that in my prayer life I was doing all the talking, almost telling God what to do.”

He began keeping what he called a spiritual diary. He would jot down insights that came to him from bible study or other writings. He called the habit “Listening Prayer”.

The sort of thing Isaiah identifies with when he calls the faithful to “incline your ear, and come to me: hear, that your soul may live.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer also recognised the “one thing” that Jesus was so concerned to get across to Martha and all the others.

He said: “Christians are talking where they should be listening. If we no longer listen to God we will be doing nothing but prattle amongst ourselves. This is the beginning of the death of the spiritual life, and in the end there is nothing left but spiritual chatter.”

But of course as in so many things in life we need to strike a balance. Martha is not criticised for her sense of service and ministry. But she is seen as putting “me and my plans” ahead of the Lord’s priorities.

And she is criticised for reproaching her sister for listening to Our Lord’s teaching instead of helping her. Martha’s fretting and fussing over the table was not a priority although it was a valued practical service.

On the other hand when Mary sat at our Lord’s feet she crossed cultural boundaries. She put herself in the position of a learner, a disciple and the implication is that she in turn would become a teacher of the Word. Jesus approved and affirmed her in this vocation.

So one wonders how the Church got into such a tizzy and indeed still frets so much over women in ordained ministry.

Mary took a seat but was destined to be on her feet in the fullness of time working out her God-given ministry and service.

The story alerts us to beware of rushing to a snap conclusion about passive Mary in contrast to the action packed, let’s go for it character of Martha.

Not for the first time Mary sits and listens to Jesus – perhaps for hours on end. Her idea of cooking may not have got beyond beans on toast but she was a good listener – the sort of person who was good to talk to and to share things with.

In contrast Martha could prepare a meal to make your mouth water – roast chicken and all the trimmings no problem. If you want something done – ask Martha.

So they both had much to give in the work and ministry of the Kingdom.

And in accepting their hospitality on that day as he made his way to Jerusalem, Jesus observed their contrasting responses to his presence. He points out that time spent listening to the Word of God and being still is important. That is the “one thing” we must do if we are to get the balance right in our spiritual lives.

Jesus was saying make ‘listening prayer’ part of your daily routine. It doesn’t have to be a long time but it does have to be there.

As Christians then we are called to take on our responsibilities willingly and in a get up and go, down to earth practical spirit. But first, we are invited to take a seat and learn how to listen and take to heart the Word of the Lord.

God be in my head, and in my understanding

God be in my heart, and in my thinking.

Amen