Have you ever noticed that we live in an “either/or” society? Very rarely is the option presented to be a “both/and” kind of person. A person is either a Republican or a Democrat. We are told that most situations are either “black or white”; and then encouraged to choose a side and entrench ourselves firmly in it. We’re either for or against certain issues, like casinos, gun control, or the death penalty. Even here at Trinity, we talk about ourselves as those who worship at either 8:30 or 10:45. Indeed, it is hard for us to imagine that we can fall into a “both/and” place, because the common message is it’s one or the other; so pay your money and make your choice.

            This same either/or attitude has been attached to today’s gospel text. Jesus is visiting with Mary and Martha. Martha is hard at work, and Mary is sitting at Jesus’ feet, (which is the position of a disciple), and listening. Martha gets fed up. She tattles on Mary. “Lord, she’s not doing anything! Make her help!”            Jesus points out that Martha is distracted and concerned about many things, while Mary has chosen the good part. He will not ask Mary to help out and listening won’t be taken from her.

     So, because of this story, people have started asking “Are you a Mary OR a Martha”? There is even a book titled Having a Mary Heart In A Martha World. Having not read the book, I can only tell what I saw summarized on line. It seems to lift up that it is better to listen in this busy, active world and we ought to make time to do so. I wonder, though. Do we have to be Mary or Martha? Do we need only a Mary heart in a Martha world?

            One of the joys of being children of God is that God calls us to be both Mary and Martha. This “both/and” language should sound pretty familiar to us Lutherans. We talk about being both saint and sinner. We lift up both the “already” of Christ’s victory over sin and death and the “not yet”; that we are waiting for the day when Christ returns and makes all things right.

            Perhaps then, we can be, and God calls us to be, both Mary and Martha. In today’s gospel text (Luke 10:38-42), Mary is the one who sits and listens while Martha works. Jesus points out that Mary has made a good choice. Thus, it is good for us to sit and listen. It is good for us to surround ourselves with God’s Word; to hear again all the wonderful things God has done, is doing, and promises to do for us; and to pray and talk to God while listening for God’s response. It is in sitting at our Lord’s feet that we are refreshed and renewed; that we receive direction and strength for the work God calls us to do in the world. Frankly, this is one of the main reasons we talk about the importance of regular worship. It is the time we spend together, at both 8:30 and 10:45, hearing God’s word, sharing the Lord’s Supper, being reminded of God’s forgiving grace, and singing praise that refreshes us. In Word and Sacrament, God strengthens us for daily living and sends us into the world.

            I know how difficult it is to pause and center ourselves. It is much easier to sit in church and think about pot roast in the oven at home; or whether we’ll get stuck in traffic on the way to the Red’s game; or if we really need to buy milk at the grocery store or have enough in the fridge to last a few more days. For me, the biggest distraction in worship is when I start wondering, “Will it be too hot to run after church, or can I handle it?”

            Yet, there is a call from God to rest, relax, and renew ourselves. This is reflected in the creation story. In Genesis, God creates and then God rests, also calling all creation to rest. In short, God calls us to spend 1/7 of our lives resting! In a world with so many concerns and distractions, it is good to sit and listen. Perhaps this is why Jesus says Mary has chosen the good part.

            However, notice that Jesus doesn’t say what Martha is doing isn’t good. In fact, later in the gospel of Luke, Jesus links discipleship with service. Martha is busy. Martha is working. What is interesting is that the word used to describe Martha’s tasks in Greek, (the original language of the New Testament), is where we get the word “deacon” or “deaconess”. A deacon or deaconess is one who is a servant or helper. We particularly use these words in the church to talk about God’s call that we serve, help and love others.

            We talk about service quite a bit here and live it out in amazing ways at Trinity. We show service to neighbors, near and far, though the prayers we lift, the food we provide, and the safe and welcome place we offer people. We show service to one another by teaching in Christian Education or helping with Vacation Bible School, by singing in one of the music groups, or by being on council. We show service to God by encouraging growth in faith, providing opportunities for family devotions, and encouraging the sharing of gifts and talents. Indeed, being busy ad being a servant is also a good thing! We don’t have to choose to either be a Mary or Martha, a listener or a servant. God calls us to do both.

            Perhaps, then, today’s gospel reminds us of the need to pray for guidance; to pray for guidance to know when to be a Mary and when to be a Martha; to pray for help in settling ourselves so we can listen more closely to God; to pray for the ability to set aside anxiety and distractions of world, particularly in worship, and sit at feet of God, paying attention. At the same time, we pray for courage to be Martha, so that we can go into the world and face those tasks of loving and serving God and loving and serving neighbor.

            After all, this is the model we see from Jesus. He works in the world, teaching, forgiving, healing and restoring. Then he rests, prays, and spends time in worship. After that, he goes out to do work. If that’s the pattern Jesus followed, it is probably pretty good for us, too!

            This day, we rejoice! We get to be both Mary and Martha. The concept is summed up beautifully in words printed at the end of most Breakout bulletins: The worship is over. The service begins. May it be so for us. May this worship, and all worship, be a time to listen and learn, to be Mary; so that we will know God has renewed and refreshed us to do service; to be Martha. May God forever give us the heart of both Mary and Martha, as we live, serve and learn in this either/or world.  Amen.