Sermon 7-18-2010

Luke 10:38-42                                                                       James 1:19-25

“Word and Deed”

There is a famous saying from St. Francis of Assisi that says: “Preach the Gospel at all times – and if necessary use words.” It invites us to consider letting our behavior speak for us, which it does loud and clear about who we are and what our priorities are in life, without words.

PRAYER

A couple of months ago, I introduced to you Martha and Mary as sister of Lazarus, and as Jesus’ friends. As we take a closer look today at the Martha and Mary story, let us keep in mind the words of Jesus to Mary, as he approves of her choosing the “better part” “when she sat listening to his words.

“One understands well enough that Christians today should be wary of words. (Douglas John Hall explains that) “Our world is full of words: the words of political leaders that are meant to persuade us of the rectitude of their policies ( which are sometimes lies!); … the words of the advertisers and promoters of countless products, most of which we do not need… Words, in our wordy society, have become cheap. The silence that is needed for words to have meaning is noticeably lacking both in those who speak and in those who hear.” idem

In other words, “Christians are called both to listen to Jesus’ words and to work very hard at finding “the right words to communicate God’s Word for the here and now… The struggle between word and deed…” DJH

“In preparing a meal, Martha fulfills her socially mandated role. Mary, in assuming the role of student at the feet of the teacher, challenges the cultural boundaries. She ‘sat at the Lord’s feet’ to listen to his words.’ So it is not entirely surprising that Jesus speak supportively about Mary, who seems to have taken the initiative herself to sit with Jesus, as a sign of her devotion to him. Mary is the first woman of her time to become a pupil of a male religious figure, but her sister’s comment indicates that she is expected to perform other tasks on this particular occasion.”

MS 265

Martha perhaps was more concerned about the necessary hospitality that should be given to a friend like Jesus. For her he was the main focus of her service and her priority was to welcome him and honor his presence as a friend and as a guest in her home. Now Mary could not wait to hear what Jesus had to say, her focus became listening rather than doing. We also can assume that on other occasions Martha was more willing to listen and Mary had her chances to speak, but in this case, “she did not immerse herself in activity but in the necessary business of listening to Jesus’ words.” DJH 266

“So it goes in most households, including the household of faith. Some are destined to live out their discipleship in the details of the common life: preparing meals, counting money, caring for the homebound, organizing outreach to the poor. Others are disciples in service to the word: study and prayer, worship and preaching, sharing and teaching.

As we here at Central Square have been looking at our traditional type of membership we are also considering looking at other models one that is more discipleship focus. We can compare this morning’s text with the life of the church.

Cynthia Jarvis compares church life with Martha and Mary: “As a church we can be led to be “worried and distracted by many things,” like Martha. We can find ourselves cut up in the shadows of our frantic activities, the ones we always do, or anxious about the programs that we must have, “and the events designed simply to perpetuate the institution.” The danger can be that, “decisions (can) be made in meetings without a hint of God’s reign. Food and drink appear at table without Christ being recognized… Social issues may be addressed, but the gospel is missed in acts that partake of the politics as usual.” Is this possibly what is happening to us? Do we leave the church doors after worship or meetings clueless and as empty as the way we came in? In the business of the church are we forgetting the God that called us to serve in the first place?

“If we miss the one needful thing,” if we do not give singular attention to the address of God in season and out of season, then we should not be surprised when the nominating committee turns up… with an empty slate.

On the other hand, she explains, when a congregation is led to position itself at Christ’s feet – reading Scripture together and seeking after its meaning, listening to the sermons and wrestling with the content in them… studying and nurturing a faith that seeks understanding – then even the details of the common life begin to resound with good news.” C A J

The James text “begins with the statement of the importance of listening (in contrast with speaking and growing angry), suggesting that hearing is in itself an important act. He introduces the contrast between hearing and doing, in which hearing is subordinated to doing. What we see is James’ struggle with the integrity of the Christian life. What gives Christian life wholeness? What identifies the Christian life? How can belief and action be held together in unity – or can they possibly be separated?

In the text James’ desire is for us to articulate the integrity of the Christian life addressing two distinct issues: the character of speech and the character of action.

In chapter 1:19 his advice for us is “to understand this, let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak…” so that anger and wickedness will not grow. Verse 22 moves from the integrity of thought and speech to the integrity of hearing and doing. The most characteristic theme of the letter, is to encourage us to be “doers of the word,” appearing here for the first time in its most theoretical form. Those who hear the gospel but do not act on it “are like those who look at themselves in a mirror” and “immediately forget what they were like.”

What is seen in a mirror must be viewed again and again, because the impression is gone as soon as one looks away. By contrast, “the perfect law, the law of liberty,” enables people to live with what they see and to live out what they believe. The imperative of caring for the orphans and the widows in v. 27 provides a concrete example of this call to integrate hearing and doing. Those who hear and act on the gospel “will be blessed in their doing.” In the never ending quest to be sure that faith is “worth something” or (what do I get out of faith?)… Christians often resort to calculate the rewards for those who act on the gospel, but the reward – the blessing – comes in the action itself.”  (Brueggemann, Year B, pg.490-491)

Let us then be quick to listen, slow to speak and doers of the word. Amen!