8th Sunday After Pentecost Proper 11

July 18, 2010

the Rev. Ken Kroohs

(Genesis 18:1-10a; Ps. 15; Colossians 1:15-28; Luke 10:38-42)

MISSING WHAT MATTERS

St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church, High Point, NC

MAY THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH ... AND THE MEDITATIONS OF ALL OUR HEARTS ... BE ALWAYS ACCEPTABLE TO YOU --- OUR STRENGTH AND OUR REDEEMER AMEN

    If there is a sermon I very much need to hear – it is one about Martha and Mary. I am too much a Martha.

    Consider what happened. Jesus was traveling, apparently with a group of disciples and “dropped in” on Martha and her sister Mary. This is not the visit where Jesus raises their brother Lazarus from the dead. This seems to be one of no special intention – just a place to rest for the night.

    Martha of course welcomes Jesus and His followers and begins, as any good hostess, to prepare food. Jesus begins to teach. As Martha makes the canapes, brings out the cheese and crackers along with three kinds of wine ... Jesus teaches and Mary listens.

    Understand that I don’t believe Jesus criticizes Martha for preparing the meal. And I don’t think He would give Mary, or the others a pass to not help. Rather I would think we have a teaching about focus and priorities.

    The lesson says Martha was “distracted” by her many tasks. That sounds to me as if, and I may be trying to read too much into the one word “distracted” – but it sounds as if Martha was listening, got up to do something, maybe paused in her work to listen, then went back to work – a pattern like that. Martha was being distracted from the most important “task” or “opportunity” for the day – which was to be with Jesus.

    Many clergy – including me will tell you how difficult it is to worship on Sunday. We are so focused on the TASK that we are distracted from what matters.

    One time I was at a retreat and the lay leader asked me if I wanted to ‘participate’ in worship. He meant it as a very kind, polite gesture and I responded “yes, I very much want to participate in worship – by not leading it!”

    I have church musicians and others who help lead worship say the same thing. We get so easily distracted that we miss what matters.

    Of course it is not just in worship that happens. Worship is just the most obvious example.

    I so envy people who say they take an hour each morning to read the Bible, pray and be with God!! I am so jealous but that is not my personality much less my schedule.

    When I think that though I realize that is also my choice. First thing in the morning may not work for me or you, but there are other ways and times. I need to be away, for at least a couple days so I can slow down and not feel guilty about the things I should be doing. Wow — Martha and I have a lot in common! I could so see myself putting my energy into making sure everything was right for everyone else, and then resenting that I missed the chance to be with God.

    So if you are one of those people who regularly sets aside time to be with God — take a nap! You will not get much out of this except maybe some reinforcement. For the rest of us ....

    We need to spend time with God. How often we hear of divorces where the couple says “we just drifted apart”. Or, “I do not know them anymore” — guess what? They did not spend time with each other. Or at least real, quality time. God is always with us, around us so we might say “we are always spending time with God” – but we are not. Possibly God is spending time with us but we are not spending time with God! So is it any surprise we do not grow closer? Or even drift away from God?

    A recent TV show had as a minor plot line that one person was offered a promotion which would involve a move, but turned it down without ever saying anything to his spouse. The decision may have been a good one but a major, life changing decision was made without involving the person who was supposed to be his partner.

    Or it can be much smaller things. I love in our wedding service when it says they should be to each other a “companion in joy”. ... How often do we share our joys with God? Or –-- how often does our prayer life consist of asking God for things? We may be asking for world peace and an end to hunger, but we are asking for something.

    How seldom do we honestly and sincerely praise God? One reason I like the hymns and music which are more praise focused is because we so seldom really praise God.

    How seldom do we sit in pure awe of God? In most scripture when the English translation is “fear of God” an equally accurate, and more understandable translation is to be “in awe of God”. To be bathed in God’s magnificence. That INCLUDES God’s power — the creator of the universe but, I think, even more importantly it includes being in awe of God’s love.

    Or maybe an even better word is “adoration”. How often do we sit in awe and adore God?

    I love being a grandfather, and some of that slips into my interactions with the kids here at church! I love being the grandfather who never allows the kids to do anything WRONG ... but maybe stretches the limits a bit more than the father or mother does.

    I love being the grandfather who is laughing with them so much they stay up an extra 15 minutes – or half hour. The grandfather who slips into their room and sneaks them out of the house early to go feed the ducks – without brushing teeth or eating breakfast. Or teaching the 2 year old how the vinyl chairs in the hospital waiting room are slippery enough to slide on ---- I still get in trouble over that one!!

    Understand I believe in loving and enjoying them but not spoiling them. My kids will tell you that the three most important words in the English language are “get a job”. Alyssa, at age six, will make a pass at a toy in the store but move on knowing there is no chance.

    I believe God may be like that type of grandparent. The one who knows which rules are important because breaking them means hurting yourself, or someone else. The grandparent who will not allow us to step over the line, but who also knows which lines are critical, and which are not. The type of God who enjoys our presence when we want communion, but does not worry about whether we are standing, or kneeling, or sitting in the pew. The type of God who wants to have those long, not necessarily deep conversations with us – just be with us — but does not care whether that is in the morning or evening; whether that is in High Point or at the beach.

    Like a marriage, or a family, or a friendship the first and only essential step is to decide this is worth our time and effort. That being in relationship with God is worth the time. That being in relationship with God is essential.

    And like a marriage, or a family, or a friendship the most important times for that are probably the times of stress. We build the foundation and strength in other times, but we either deepen or abandon our relationship in times of stress. When we are angry at God. Disappointed in God. Frustrated with God. Do not understand God — I am there a lot! It is those times which are most important because it is those times when WE decide whether or not this relationship is worthwhile.

    Have you ever had an acquaintance who was fun to talk with, maybe even do some things with, but you just drifted away from them? The good times are somewhat superficial – we can share good times with just about anyone. The tough times are what builds the relationship.

    I suspect many of us do not share either the joys, or the challenges with God.

    God wants to be with us during the good times, and the bad. Our Bible, unlike most if not all other major religious texts, speaks about people who are angry at God, disappointed in God. Those are some of the most valuable passages in the Bible because they tell us more about God than most others. They tell us God wants us enough to be with us in our anger, and disappointment and frustration.

    So how do we do this? How do we build our relationship with God?

    Our gospel touched on the key – to set aside the distractions. I find I need to keep a pad and pen near me so I can jot down the stay thoughts which distract me: “don’t forget to call Frank”, “is the ice cream social on the calendar” – if I don’t jot them down I cannot let go of them.

    As I said, for me I have to get away. It is hard, not impossible, but hard for me to set aside the distractions when they are close by. Whatever works for you.

    Some people find things like the prayer walk out in the parking lot, or the labyrinth, or a direct retreat helpful. Those are simply structures for us to use to help us focus. They are not magic – but tools which might work for you, or not. My primary suggestion is to give them a try.

    For many people small groups are important, especially small groups whose goal is to help us stay on the path we choose. If you want more information about the prayer and share groups, just let me know.

    The key is to decide that being with God is first on our priority list – not an occasional fill in if Sunday is not too busy. The key is to decide that being with God is more important than all those distractions.

    May we learn to acknowledge when we are being distracted, and turn our focus back to God.

             AMEN

We have previous sermons on our website. To read an earlier recent sermon just enter: www.st-christopher.org/sermon.html.

CLICK HERE TO RESPOND: I would enjoy reading your comments about this sermon. Please feel free to discuss content or presentation. (If you wish to use another email system send your comments to: ken@st-christopher.com)