Seasonal Blessing for Pentecost / Ordinary Time

May the Spirit of truth lead us into all truth, giving us grace to confess that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and to proclaim the wonderful works of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Vicar's Voice - 6th Sunday after Pentecost - "Let Us Break Bread Together"

While Jesus and his disciples were traveling, Jesus entered a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest.

- Luke 10:38 (Common English Bible)

I was warned!

When I first started in ministry, I was told to beware. Not of distractions (as Martha may have had in the Gospel reading this Sunday), or of overworking (after decades in higher education, I was well aware that I didn't know when to quit: I had worked there for almost thirty years when someone from the dean's office reminded my that my contract was a nine-month contract. "What do you mean I've worked summers for decades and I didn't need to?!?")

No, the warning was, "Be careful not to accept every dinner invitation you receive!" You see, Episcopalians LOVE to feed one another. Also, we are, more often than not, adventurous cooks. My participation in my Men's Gourmet Club came from another Episcopal priest and extraordinary cook and person, Father Don Baxter, whose hospitality is legendary and whose acuity in the kitchen is unmatched. We Episcopalians love inviting one another into our homes for meals. Although the pandemic has tempered that behavior somewhat, I am still offered invitations to supper with parishioners, or at least given casserole dishes with food enough to last several meals. The title of Dom Delouise's cookbook of his mother's favorite Italian recipes, "Eat This It'll Make You Feel Better," is a life verse for many in our church. When someone is sick or in recovery, the intuition of church members kicks in, and a line of meals is often generated. For the first few years, the portrait of Presiding Bishop Rowe, who was rector at my church years ago, acted as a cautionary warning - he was loved with food during his service at St. John's, and each time I entered the office, I thought about how the congregants' generosity might compromise my health!

Jesus was invited into Martha's home, where she lived with Mary. These two (apparently) single women, though sharing space, were also very distinctive. Even though Jesus is a guest in her home, Martha is described as "preoccupied and getting everything ready for the meal." And why wouldn't she be? Her Lord had come to her, having travelled a great deal, and she must have known that he was hungry. A great meal was called for, and she was on it. Mary, however, sat at Jesus' feet and listened to him. After all, it was not her home but Martha's, so it made perfect sense that Mary, also a houseguest of sorts, would not have the same obligations to show hospitality. This fact, however, did not sit well with Martha, who complained to Jesus that Mary was not helping in the preparations.

Although I am usually a gracious host, sometimes, I do feel as if I am doing all the work, while others are not engaging. It's easy to point a finger, especially if we are pressed for time or seem to be doing everything by ourselves. Sometimes I remind myself that one reason I may be doing everything is that I assume everything must be done by me; others might step up and step in if I leave space for them. I am also well aware that if others are doing the work, then I don't have to be the one doing it. One thing I learned in ministry is that if lay persons are doing things, then I should step aside. For example, I love doing pastoral visits, but we have a pastoral care team that does it as well. It is humbling that often those who need a visit need the visit, and not necessarily need me! I do love checking in with the team and always remind them to let me know if anyone asks for me ... no one does!

So Martha complains to Jesus, and he says, "Mary has chosen the better part." Note the comparative "better" that Jesus uses, not the superlative "best." Nor does he condemn Martha and say her work is useless. Hospitality is good, but so is simply sitting and visiting with your guest. Both Martha and Mary were doing good things, but Jesus appreciated Mary's attention to his teachings as much, if not more, than he appreciated Mary's meal.

Sharing meals is both biblically affirmed and community valued. We like breaking bread together, we enjoy the conversation, and we treasure the relationships that table fellowships affirm. But while we are busy preparing and providing, let us not forget that the "better" part of any shared meal is not the food, but the friendships and conversations that also happen when siblings in faith gather.

Wishing you peace,

Father Shawn