Sixth Sunday after Pentecost: Gospel, Luke 10:38-42                                    

Luke 10:38-42

We just had a great example last week from the teaching of Jesus on the importance of serving our neighbor with God’s love. The Good Samaritan, or as one of my favorite teachers calls him, “The Christ Samaritan,” displays love in hands and feet. And a marvelous narrative it brings to our minds whenever we consider the great compassion of our Savior.

The corner is turned in the next piece of Luke’s gospel where we are introduced to two sisters, Martha and Mary. Service is good. In fact, I would come to the support of Martha, the busy sister, in saying that service is ALWAYS good. But it is not always the highest good. And Jesus says so. Here, amidst obvious preparation for a feast, at least a meal for many, Martha is taken with the tasks of preparation. But at the visit of the young rabbi, Mary takes a seat. Jesus loving them both speaks frankly and points out that there is a degree of distraction in the tasks of the household. He labels Martha as “anxious and troubled.” Mary watches. And I’ve always wondered if Mary wanted to beckon Martha to join her, but knowing her sister’s type-A bent, she remained silent.

But what Jesus says in his loving diagnosis of the “busy-bee” sister is simply that there is something that ranks higher than service. What is that? It’s hearing. “He who has ears to hear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches” is a loaded quip from the Savior in another place. Hearing is key. Faith comes by it. And what is heard from the lips of Jesus is life. Eternal life. Love others in your serving. But don’t forget to listen.