People's Prayers: Prayers of the People: The Mary-er the Better ~ 6th Sunday after Pentecost '19 Yr C

For Sunday, July 21, 2019 ~ 6^th Sunday after Pentecost, Year C, Readings: Genesis 18:1-10a, Psalm, 15, Colossians 1:15-28, Luke 10:38-42

The Lord appeared to Abraham by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. [Genesis 18:1-10a]

Lord, who may abide upon your holy hill? Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right, who speaks the truth from his heart…there is no guile upon his tongue…he does not heap contempt upon his neighbor. [Psalm 15:1b-3]

And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death...provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith... [Colossians 1:21-22, 23a]

But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her. [Luke 10:41-42]

Rublev's Trinity

Of course, the focus for today's readings is the iconic Martha and Mary story in Luke's Gospel. But there is another icon to mention from today's reading in Genesis, arising from the visit to Abraham as he sat at the entrance of his tent in the heat of the day. It opens with "The Lord appeared to Abraham" and then tells us that Abraham looked up and saw three men yet strangely spoke to them in the singular of "My Lord..." The men who sit at Abraham’s table were beautifully captured by the 15th century Russian Orthodox iconographer, Andrei Rublev, in his famous, and my personal favorite of all icons, "Rublev's Trinity." This icon, as icons always are, is filled with much symbolism which I encourage you to explore.* But for this moment, it is his stunning interpretation that speaks to me of the "three in one" mystery of the Trinity. As for the rest of the reading, a cliff-hanger of sorts for Sarah and Abraham, as we imagine them pondering the parting words of the men who say she will have a son.

The Psalm is filled with God's instructions on how to find our way to heaven, the Holy Hill, and Paul congratulates the Colossians for their turn from evil deeds to the fullness of God through Christ. But it is the age-old Martha/Mary conflict that draws the most attention. Then as now, the everyday tasks take over life and some days, or many, there’s simply not enough time left over for God.

We're all so very busy despite all sorts and conditions of modern technology in our western culture that is supposed to encourage and allow more leisure time. Martha was trying to have Jesus understand all that she had to do and needed Mary’s help. Lucky Mary wins the round with Jesus patiently explaining to the harried Martha to take a breath and relax, sit down and choose the better part. I’m wondering if Martha is looking at him with the “and just who do you think is going to get all this cooking and cleaning done for all these people” look?

Who of us doesn’t struggle with making the better part of life as time with our Trinity? Someday, I’ve often mused, I’ll have the time to continue securely established and steadfast in the faith without shifting from the hope promised in the Gospel. It isn’t even a question of “balance” in our lives. We are to be faithful to God in Christ first and then get on with the other stuff. Sure, easy to do when you don’t have to make a living, or meet every deadline, do the shopping, prepare the food, cope with the interminable interruptions such as weddings, births, sickness, and whatever else life throws at you. And if you have children or teens at home, there are a thousand other things to do. Naturally we know that someday, once everything settles down, we can get on with the business of the God and faith stuff. But God is always with us, Christ always within us, the Word always surrounds us and all we need to do is breathe consciously in and out with God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit on our lips and in our hearts.

I saw a sign once that said, "Someday is not on the calendar." Busy may accomplish earth-bound tasks in the life where someday never arrives. But being merely busy doesn't draw us closer to Christ, it keeps us away. Let us mindfully, intentionally, deliberately choose the better part of the very brief God-given life we have and all that needs doing will truly get done. The Mary-er the better.

*click here to learn more about: Symbolism in Rublev's Trinity

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Leader: ~ Invisible, Immortal God, grant us the courage to lead a blameless life free of guile, with no contempt for our neighbor. Guide us to always do what is right, reject evil, and strive to present ourselves to You, mature in Christ, proclaiming his wisdom to all we meet.

Lord, in Your Fullness

RESPONSE: Keep us steadfast in our faith

~ Invisible, Immortal God, strengthen us to speak the truth from our hearts that will reconcile to Your Will the earthly rulers of all thrones, dominions, and powers in every corner of this world, great and small. We pray especially for: add your own petitions

Lord, in Your Fullness