Harmony or Disharmony
by Stuart Malkin 19 March 2022
Reading Luke 10 v48-51
As Jesus and his disciples went on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. She had a sister named Mary who sat down at the feet of the Lord and listened to his teaching. Martha was upset over all the work she had to do so she came and said “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself. Tell her to come and help me”.
The Lord answered her “Martha, Martha you are worried and troubled over so many things but just one is needed, Mary has chosen the right thing and it will not be taken away from her “.
Many years ago our two grandsons (now 18 and 20) came to our house for a game of Monopoly, one of their favourites at the time. If you have played this game there comes a time when discussions and debate takes over as to who is winning either by property gained or money still in hand.
On this occasion Ann thought she would focus attention in another direction by asking how the singing in the Derby Cathedral Choir was going and followed it up by asking if they knew any part of Handel’s Messiah. One started up followed by the other starting another piece.
DISHARMONY or what! Which led to a quick return to Monopoly!
Song: Come Mary come Martha
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In the reading we see two sisters who know each other well. No doubt Martha found working around the house and having someone to entertain a great pleasure, even though it would be something of a chore with everything that had to be done for such a visitor. These two characters may have something to teach us about ourselves, about our relationships and what Jesus has to say to each and everyone of us.
Let’s take Martha first of all and how important it was for her to ensure that all was in place for her visitor, scurrying around almost unaware of what the visitor was about to say and, at the same time, angered because her sister was not helping her. SUCH DISUNITY!
Mary knew that it was important to just sit and listen to what Jesus had to say, unfortunately we are not told what those words were. However, she upset her sister by her inaction in the home, but was blessed by her reaction to Jesus' visit. We can learn a lot from these two sisters, as both show us what is required in our personal lives and members of his church.
The obvious one is Mary and how she listened intently at the Lord’s feet, listening is something many of us find difficult. The old saying about the fact we have one mouth and two ears is forgotten either unintentionally or deliberately. We all have the opportunity to listen to what the Lord is saying directly from pulpit, or the Bible wherever we are or through our prayer.
Martha in this story can easily be one who has it all wrong, but remember she was the one who asked Jesus into her home in the first place. The church constantly needs workers, be they spiritual or physical, and both go hand in hand in God's kingdom. Jesus was probably wanting to show Martha that she was missing out on learning how she could add to all she already did.
Prayer
Father God help us to see how important harmony is in our lives and may we see how it is that Jesus can harmonise us with each other and him. Amen