The following is a reflection on Luke 10:38-42, the Gospel Lesson appointed for Proper 11C, according to the Revised Common Lectionary.
Chartres Cathedral in the Morning Mist. Photo by Rick Morley.
Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things…
Oh, man… The only thing that would make this verse any more uncomfortable would be for Jesus to substitute “Martha, Martha” for my own name.
Because, when it comes to being worried and distracted, I am guilty as sin. I am “worried and distracted by many things” pretty much all the time.
My guess is that you are too. (If not, congratulations. Feel free to exit and find another blog.)
I mean, I try and look all “spiritual” and “aloof,” “calm” and “collected” as if I have everything under control. But, even when I successfully pull off the ruse, it is still only a ruse.
And I know it.
AND I know that it’s not the way to live. Living while drowning in life’s worries is hell.
I love—no, I CRAVE—those moments when I’m actually able to quiet myself, slow down, and focus what what really matters.
Earlier this month I was on pilgrimage in France with a group from the parish I serve. We spent one night in Chartres—a place I had longed to visit for many years. We only had once night, and we were scheduled to depart the next morning at 10AM (Not…enough…time!!) So, I woke up at 6AM and walked over to the cathedral. The cathedral wouldn’t open for several hours, but I wanted to visually feast on the exterior.
It was a cool morning. The fog was thick, but not too thick. I could still make out the top of the spires. Just enough morning mist to add some serious ambiance.
I walked the circumference of the cathedral twice, trying to “read” the statues and scenes. Christus Victor, The Last Judgement, the enthronement of Mary in Heaven. I drank them in, savoring each face, each garment’s fold.
I was the only one there. For an hour I saw no one—at least no one not carved in stone. It was just me, and this monument to the glory of God.
I was as focused as I could be. In those moments I didn’t care about the mountain of email that was awaiting me when I returned. I wasn’t thinking about an upcoming sermon, who I’ve failed to visit in the past few weeks, or what my sermon would be on the next week. I didn’t care about my Facebook status, my Twitter feed, or if someone had commented on my last Instagram installment.
My soul was quieted within me, and if felt so good.
On that day when Jesus came to the home of his friends Martha and Mary, Mary was able to do what I did at Chartres. There was only one thing that mattered to her that day, and it was sitting at Jesus’ feet. Any other detail could wait.
Who knows, maybe the day before and the day after she was running around like a chicken with her head cut off. Maybe she was typically filled with anxiety, and covered it up by trying to overcompensate.
Who knows? But, on that day she put life’s distractions away. Martha just couldn’t manage it, and that’s ok. Jesus gently guided her in the right direction.
I love the story of Martha and Mary (my natal feast is their feast!) because it reminds me to slow down. Don’t get me wrong, I have lots to do, and many of those things are important things. Important to other people, and I hope to the Kingdom of God. But, I’ll never be my best to those people, the Kingdom, my family, or myself, unless I stop.
Unless I stop and peer through the mist looking for the spires. And Jesus.
