Any Super Sunday

It’s Super Bowl Sunday and you’re having party for friends and family. The pre-game festivities are on the big HD flat screen — chips and dip are on the coffee table and guests have been arriving for about an hour now. You are busy taking coats and the snacks from the guests and preparing finger foods making sure the ribs and wings don’t burn. Your spouse is sitting in front of the TV mesmerized by the sports pundits predictions and analysis of the two teams. And you are upset that you’re not getting any help. As you scowl at your worshipful life-partner/football maven you hear someone addressing you directly. It is coming from the television. It is Brett Mussberger — he says “Your loving spouse has chosen the better portion — it will not be denied him.”

It was another Super Sunday 2000 years ago when this lesson in true prayerful worship was left for us in the Gospel of Luke. Only it wasn’t electronic talking heads that were the subject of the apt attention of the one who wasn’t helping with the party preparations and hospitality. Mary of Bethany — the sister of Martha and Lazarus — was the one sitting mesmerized by the guest of honor while Martha was busy in the kitchen.

This little family of siblings were reported to be particularly close friends of Jesus. It was Lazarus who lay dying at home later on while Jesus waited several towns away in full knowledge of the illness, letting it become fatal to the surprise of the disciples because they knew how much He loved Lazarus and his sisters. Jesus of course would lead the disciples back to Bethany to call His friend back from the dead after laying  lifeless in a tomb for four days. This brought such notoriety to Him that it was what spurred the religious/bureaucratic authorities to plot His murder, according to this ancient Gospel chronicler.

Back to the party:

‘As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things,  but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”’ Luke10:38-42

This has been a pattern for what theologians have deemed the “active life” and the “contemplative life.” Monks dedicated to silent prayer and meditation have used this account of Mary of Bethany for their inspiration for centuries. So — if you find meditative prayer to be a complete mystery you really already know how to do it — the entire civilized world does. Just make like you are home enrapt by a movie on TV or your favorite musician performing your favorite song live. Get quiet and close your eyes or look at the trees and the sky out the window — and listen to the stories the Spirit of God will tell you.