There is Need of Only One Thing

I had a good conversation yesterday about the impulse in religious circles to be consumers vs. citizens in God's Kingdom. The illumination above reads "there is need of only one thing."  As you may remember, the rest of the verse says "Mary has chosen the better part which will not be taken away from her."

Yes, poor Martha may have gotten a bad rap in that story.  But, what is the better part?  The need we have of only one thing?

It seems in reading Diana Butler-Bass' book that her idea of what is needed is a new and deeper appreciation of our relationships: with the world, with our neighbors, with our families, with our church, with our God. No doubt that is a tall order.

As Butler-Bass shares, one of the oldest meanings of the world religion is "to bind together."  It is that which connects us with God and each other.  She insists, over and over, that this meaning has become lost on us and that the term 'religion' has fallen on hard times. According to Butler-Bass, contemporary people tend to define religion as a structure, organization, or institution and they become purveyors or consumers of goods. Those who want to speak of lively faith, holy connection, and of finding God in the world often call themselves spiritual instead.

Butler-Bass suggests that we have abandoned our prophetic and creative vision for our common life in favor of an individual quest to get to heaven. And, in the process, community has become isolated behind the walls of buildings where worship corresponds to members' tastes and preferences. Is that what happened to Martha?  Did she get lost in her busyness, her desire to please, or was she simply living into the discipline of hospitality?  

I don't think that Jesus was trying to chastise Martha, just wake her up. The contrast Jesus makes is not between activity and inactivity. He points out Martha's worry and distractions, what she chose to focus on. Mary was attentive and open to God, seeking God and listening. Brother Lawrence called this practicing the presence of God. 

Where is our focus? Are we seeking first God's kingdom, being attentive to it and expressing it; or are we just busy? There is need of only one thing. If we are going to provide Christian hospitality and not just an empty shell of hospitality, it comes from being attentive to God — focused on our mission — focused on love consistently — not just "when we have time." And, God is always, always interrupting our time, trying to call us back, the Hound of Heaven who is after our hearts, our whole life and being.

A prayer from Walter Brueggemann:

We confess you to be the God who calls,

who wills,

who summons,

who had concrete intentions

for your creation,

and addresses human agents

who do your will.

We imagine ourselves called by you...

Yet a strange lot:

called but cowardly,

obedient but self-indulgent,

devoted to you, but otherwise preoccupied.

In our strange mix and answering and refusing,

We give thanks for your call.

We pray this day,

for ourselves, fresh vision;

for our friends, great courage,

for those who search for you

in places more dangerous than ours,

deep freedom.

As we seek to answer your call, may we be haunted

by your large purposes,

We pray in the name of the utterly called Jesus.

Amen.