Friday, September 13, 2013

7th September Trinity 2008, Pour Light into a Spoon

Luke 10:38-42
7th August Trinity

Now as they were traveling along, he entered a certain village; and a woman named Martha received him into her home. And she had a sister called Mary who was listening to the Lord’s word, seated at his feet.

Martha meanwhile was distracted with all her preparations. So she got up and said, “Lord do you not care that my sister has left me here to serve alone? Tell her to  help me.”

But the Lord answered and said to her, Martha, Martha you are worried and bothered about so many things; but only a few things are necessary, really only one, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

or, [“Martha, Martha, you are worrying and making noise about many things, when only one thing is needed. Mary chose the better half, and it won’t be taken away from her.” Gaus]

7th August Trinity

Sept. 7, 2008
Luke 10:38 – 42

In human interactions, the quality of how one thinks, of what one feels, the quality of our intentions is decisive. It’s not so much the what, as the how.

Martha and Mary, along with their brother Lazarus, are intimate friends of Jesus. He visits them often. Hospitality of course dictates that they offer their guest a meal. When a guest arrives, possibly unexpected, work ensues; water drawn for washing, pouring drinks, possibly a quick trip out the village market, preparing and cooking food. Martha is the part of the human soul that recognizes and tends the earthly needs.

Mary, on the other hand, is the part of the soul that recognizes that it is equally important to entertain the Guest with one’s listening ear and devoted attention. Especially considering who this Guest is. When Martha complains that all the earthly work seems to fall to her, Christ says, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and disturbed about many things, when only a few things are necessary, really only one.” Luke 10: 41,42

For Christ recognizes in Martha the very human experience that work can multiply itself endlessly, especially when one’s own ego is involved, with, say, making a good impression. Only a few things are truly necessary, He says, really only one. And that single thing is one’s own cohesive, integrated presence, a kind of calm Zen attentiveness to being where one is. Martha was scattered. Mary chose to gather herself together at the Lord’s feet.

Christ goes on to say that Mary chose the better part, and that it won’t be taken away from her. The better part. For our lives are indeed currently divided into an active outer part that works in the world, and an inner contemplative one. By saying that the contemplative side is the better part of life, Christ is underscoring the necessity that each human soul has of gathering itself together at the Lord’s feet, of listening to His words, of becoming whole and integrated. The results of such inner contemplative work cannot be taken away, for they become eternal. Then that calm wholeness of spirit can begin to also permeate our outer work in the world. That way, instead of our egotism making us  distracted, envious and cranky, we can bring the radiance of love into our daily life and work. In the words of the poet, we

…can pour light into a spoon
Then raise it
To nourish
Your beautiful, parched, holy mouth.[1]







[1] Hafiz, “Your Beautiful Parched Holy Mouth,” in I Heard God Laughing, Renderings of Hafiz, by Daniel Ladinsky, p. 115. 

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