Joining Word and Deed

The Lectionary people have divided Luke 10 into its three distinct passages - but in doing so we lose hold of the thread that binds them together as a unit.

The first section was how Jesus sent out the 72, like lambs among wolves on the work of mission - What is that mission? It is the offer of a word - shalom - the peace of God and it is actions which characterise the presence of the Kingdom of God - heal the sick, preach the word, cast out demons. This is what it means to follow Christ, love God and neighbour in word and action. How to live out our Mission Statement is all found in this passage.

Then the story shifts. Jesus is asked 2 pointed questions - what must I DO to inherit eternal life? Who is my neighbour. Jesus tells a parable which we refer to as the Good Samaritan.

The way that this phrase Good Samaritan is now used in everyday language would indicate that it is through our helping of others we are made right with God. But if we think that, we have to think again because such a conclusion is not consistent with the message conveyed in the earlier passage about our mission in the world and what it is to follow Christ.

To underscore that we are not to separate word and deed, God and neighbour as if they are choices, Luke places two more stories about the life of Jesus to enable us to keep balance, to keep perspective. One we hear today, the other is on prayer next week.

Years ago I discovered that the upright on a lampost is made of soft wood; the cross pieces, carrying the power lines was made of hard wood.

The upright could look strong on the outside but be weak or rotten on the inside. We would only know this when the strong winds blew or hard rain fell softening the ground and causing it to fall. Then, it would bring down the crosspieces and the powerlines as well.

What are some of the storms and strong winds that have shaken us in the past? How is the uprights of a lamp-post strenghthened so that it can withstand the winds and storms?

So with our own lives - the story of Mary and Martha - our horizontal outreach to others is important. There are lots of Martha's around - it is the means by which the power of God's Spirit flows to those around us - in care, compassion, hospitality etc. Being Martha’s are the ways that we show our love for neighbour in action. It is the Church at mission, so we think!

But this needs to be supported by a strong "vertical" relationship with God which is not for its

own sake. For sometimes we get the spelling wrong or pronounce it incorrectly - MARTYR.

Jesus tells us that Martha’s are needed, but they need to be keep perspective else they get frazzled and get everyone else frazzled as well - their focus on doing can turn them into a controlling, demanding people who are critical of those who are not as involved in doing things as they are.

Jesus commends the Mary’s thodse, who by their action show that they have chosen the right thing. A life committed firstly to sitting at the feet of the Lord God in prayer, in praise

and worship in order that priorities may be better set - the loving God in word sets

the foundation upon which the good works which demonstrate love of neighbour are offered.

Amos is critical of those who separate word and deed - pious Sunday practices with one set of words and actions which are different from the words and actions of our Monday - Saturday activity - the separation of sacred and secular. He speaks of a time when there will be a famine of hearing the word of the Lord - and I sometimes really wonder if in this time and place we are experiencing a such a famine because the contemplative Mary in us and in the Church has been drowned out by the loud-voiced "let’s get things done" Martha.

I don’t know about you, but I struggle daily with my Christian faith and how I express it. The Martha within me is continually complaining whenever the Mary in me wants to, no not wants, needs to just sit and read, reflect and pray. Even service preparation is a Martha activity - a doing thing. But I know I can’t really DO unless there is an evenly counter- balanced BEING time with Jesus - a time when the Martha voice is silent and the Mary in me can listen to what the Lord is saying and not be distracted.

In a world that values and rewards and expects actions - productivity gains I believe is the term now used in work contracts we need to creatively find ways and places so that we can sit at the feet of Jesus and learn of him, from him, for it is only in doing so that we become like him, and, being then like him can we then go and put what we have learned into practice.