Grace and peace. Summer is a time to travel a bit lighter, take stock, simplify, and return to essential things. This coming Sunday we will hear the well-known gospel story in Luke of Mary and Martha, beloved friends of Jesus and sisters of Lazarus, who open their home to Jesus and his disciples on the way to Jerusalem. It is natural to see this story as lifting up the contemplative life over a life of action. But such an interpretation misses the point of Jesus’ loving response. Jesus begins, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing.” Imagine Jesus saying this in a loving voice.
Contemplation and service are both essential to the Christian life. Sometimes we are called to listen and other times to act. Life at St. Patrick’s rightly reflects both of these ministries. We gather each Sunday for worship, Bible Babes meet Wednesdays to read the gospel, and many of us pray and reflect on Scripture during the week. Of equal importance we also make S.O.M.E. meals, raise funds for our partner parish in Haiti, and gather for Service Saturdays. Jesus is inviting Martha, and us, to follow him. There is need of only one thing–the love of Jesus. Whether gathering for worship or preparing for coffee hour, let your ministry be guided by love. As our Presiding Bishop Michael Curry puts it, if it isn’t about love, it isn’t about God.
We give thanks for the fullness of ministry at St. Patrick’s knowing that all that we are and all we have are gifts from God, our creator, redeemer and sustainer. Let all things be done for the glory of God.
