Living Like Mary in a World of Martha’s: Prioritizing the Present

In a world filled with distractions and busyness, it can be easy to lose sight of the present moment and overlook the true meaning of our daily lives. This sermon, titled “Living Like Mary in a World of Martha’s: Prioritizing the Present,” draws inspiration from the story of Mary and Martha to guide the audience towards embracing the here and now. By highlighting the importance of being present in the moment, the sermon serves as a trusted advisor and relatable guide on how to find deeper meaning in the midst of a chaotic world. Drawing from biblical principles and incorporating real-life examples, the sermon respectfully encourages the audience to recognize the value of the present moment and invites them to actively engage with the sermon’s message – to prioritize the present and find fulfillment in their daily lives. So, take a breath, let go of distractions, and join us on this journey towards a more intentional and purposeful way of living. Let us recognize the value of and be present in this moment.

Introduction: Recognizing Martha within Us

Have you ever been so engrossed in capturing a moment that you missed experiencing it?

In today’s digital age, we often find ourselves viewing life through the lens of our devices, incessantly striving to capture the perfect shot. However, in our pursuit to document the moment, we may inadvertently miss out on truly experiencing it. The rich tapestry of emotions, the raw vibrancy of the scene, the nuanced dialogues – all could be lost in the click of a button. This phenomenon is indicative of a ‘Martha-like’ mindset, where we are so engrossed in doing that we neglect the essence of being. Martha was so caught up in her chores that she overlooked the opportunity to learn from Jesus. Similarly, we too may be so focused on capturing the perfect photo or video that we miss out on the joy of the experience itself. Therefore, it’s crucial to recognize this tendency within us, remind ourselves of the importance of being present, and consciously strive to experience the moment fully, as Mary did.

Our Identification with Martha

Martha’s character resonates with many of us. We find ourselves in her shoes, rushing through chores, striving to fulfill responsibilities, and juggling multiple tasks, all while losing sight of the present moment. We often prioritize doing over being, and productivity over presence. Martha’s story is not just a biblical narrative but a mirror reflecting our own lives. Her preoccupation with duties and her anxiety over the perfect hosting echo our own concerns about achieving perfection and meeting societal expectations. Yet, in our pursuit of these goals, like Martha, we often miss out on the profound experiences and teachings right in front of us. This narrative encourages us to pause, reflect, and identify these ‘Martha-like’ tendencies within us. In recognizing these traits, we can then consciously shift our focus towards becoming more ‘Mary-like’, prioritizing presence over productivity, and truly cherishing the present moment. It’s a gentle reminder that the art of living is not just about doing, but also about being truly present in the here and now.

Setting

Time and Location

The narrative of Mary and Martha unfolds in a small village called Bethany, located near Jerusalem. This story takes place during a pivotal time in history, in the first century AD, a period known for its profound sociocultural and religious transformations. The location and time significantly influence the events and teachings in this story. Bethany, a humble and tranquil village, serves as a foil to the bustling city of Jerusalem. It offers a peaceful setting, fostering a sense of intimacy and tranquility conducive to deep conversations and teachings. The era, marked by stringent societal norms and expectations, especially for women, plays a significant role in shaping the characters’ actions and decisions. The narrative unfolds in a domestic setting, a place where Martha and Mary’s roles are defined by societal norms. The time and location thus set the stage for the unfolding of this profound narrative, adding depth and context to the story, and allowing us to reflect on our own settings and the roles they play in our lives.

Significance of Hospitality in the Culture

In the ancient Jewish culture, hospitality was not merely a societal expectation; it was a sacred duty. Providing for guests, even strangers, was regarded as a moral responsibility, a way of extending God’s love and care. The story of Mary and Martha takes place in this cultural backdrop, where providing for Jesus and his disciples was not just about preparing a meal; it was an act of service and devotion. Martha’s bustling around the house, her attention to detail in preparing food and ensuring the comfort of her guests, all reflect the deeply ingrained practice of hospitality in their culture. However, the narrative also underscores a deeper form of hospitality – spiritual attentiveness. Mary, sitting at Jesus’ feet, listening to his teachings, represents this profound aspect of hospitality. Her willingness to learn from Jesus, her focus on the spiritual nourishment he offered, was an act of hospitality in itself. The narrative thus invites us to broaden our understanding of hospitality, recognizing its spiritual dimensions and its potential to enrich our lives.

Narrative

Martha getting increasingly frustrated

As Jesus and his disciples settled in, Martha, driven by her commitment to hospitality, was consumed by the tasks at hand. She busied herself with preparing meals, tidying up the place, and ensuring the comfort of her guests. The tasks piled up, the pressure mounted, and the effort started taking a toll on Martha. The more she worked, the more the work seemed to multiply. Martha’s desire to provide the perfect experience for her guests began to morph into a source of stress and agitation. She watched her sister, Mary, sitting at Jesus’ feet, absorbed in his teachings, while she grappled with the seemingly endless chores. The contrast between her own frantic activity and Mary’s calm attentiveness stoked the flames of her frustration. A sense of unfairness crept in. The imbalance became too glaring to ignore. Finally, her frustration peaked, and she decided to voice her discontent. This moment of Martha’s emotional turmoil serves as a crucial turning point in the narrative, setting the stage for the profound lesson that is to follow.

Mary didn’t want to miss the moment

While Martha was engrossed in her duties, Mary chose a different path. She decided to seize the moment, to make the most of Jesus’ presence. Instead of getting caught up in the whirlwind of preparations, she chose to sit at Jesus’ feet, fully present, soaking in his teachings. Mary understood the value of the moment, the rarity of the opportunity to learn directly from Jesus. She was aware that the moments with Jesus were fleeting and precious, and she didn’t want to miss a single word. Her focus was not on the physical provisions for the guests but on the spiritual nourishment that Jesus was offering. Mary’s decision to be fully present in the moment and to prioritize spiritual learning over domestic duties was unconventional and bold. It was a choice that went against societal norms and expectations, especially for a woman of her time. However, it was this decision, this conscious choice to prioritize the ‘now’, that Jesus commended and recognized as the ‘better part’. Mary’s actions serve as a reminder to us all about the importance of being present and truly experiencing the moment.

Conclusion: Being Present in This Moment

Anecdote: New Years Eve in Paris

Consider a New Year’s Eve celebration in Paris. As the clock strikes midnight, the sky lit up with a spectacular display of fireworks. Captivating and ephemeral, this spectacle is a once-a-year occurrence. Amidst the crowd, you see people with their phones held high, focusing on capturing the moment rather than truly experiencing it. The dazzling fireworks, the collective gasps of awe, the shared joy of welcoming a new year – all these are reduced to pixels on a screen. This scenario mirrors our lives today, where we often prioritize capturing moments over living them. Just as the crowd at the celebration were more focused on recording the show than actually enjoying it, we too can become so engrossed in documenting our lives that we overlook the joy of living in the present. This anecdote serves as a poignant reminder to prioritize experiencing moments over capturing them, to be more Mary-like in our approach to life, treasuring the present and living it fully.

Yesterday is a Cashed Check, Tomorrow is a Promissory Note, Today is Cash in Hand. Recognize the Gift. The reason it is called the present.

This powerful adage encapsulates the essence of our sermon. Yesterday, represented as a cashed check, is an unchangeable past. We can learn from it, but cannot alter it. Tomorrow, likened to a promissory note, is an uncertain future. We can prepare for it, but cannot guarantee it. Today, however, is compared to cash in hand – something we possess right now, something we can use immediately. This is the present, a precious gift we hold. Each moment we live is unique, never to be repeated, making the present an invaluable treasure. The story of Mary and Martha teaches us to be like Mary, recognizing the gift of the present and choosing to live it fully, rather than being like Martha, who missed the moment in her rush to prepare for it. This lesson is a gentle but powerful reminder for us to value the present, to be mindful, attentive, and fully engaged in the now. For the present moment is not just a point in time, but a precious gift to be treasured and lived to its fullest.