Welcome to Weobley & Staunton Joint Benefice

Our gospel message from Luke 10 portrays a brief conflict in the lives of two sisters, Mary and Martha. They have a very important visitor staying in their house (Jesus) and so naturally Martha is bustling around, tidying up and getting things ready for the next meal.  Mary, however, is not helping. She is sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to his teaching. Naturally, Martha is annoyed by this, and we may sympathise with her. Having grown up in a family with four other siblings, I know how important it is for everybody to ‘do their bit’.  Martha asks Jesus to instruct Mary to help with the housework. As is often the case, Jesus’ reply is entirely unconventional. He states that Martha is ‘worried and distracted by many things’, and that Mary has ‘chosen the better part.’  What do we make of this? At first glance, it seems a bit unfair.

One key thing to notice here is context. Jesus’ ministry is picking up pace. He will soon enter  Jerusalem and face condemnation and crucifixion. There will be fewer opportunities to sit at  Jesus’ feet and listen to his teaching, and so Mary puts aside the distractions of the urgent to  focus on the important. Sometimes in the church, we can be so taken up with ‘busy’ tasks (care of buildings, fund-raising, meetings) that we neglect what is life-giving in our faith: listening for the voice of Christ in worship, prayer, Bible reading and quiet reflection. It’s okay to be a Martha (after all, somebody has to get things done) but not if it prevents us being a Mary, quietly  knowing how and when to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen.

Rev’d Philip

A few years ago I led a funeral for a man who worked all his life as a motor engineer for lorry companies. He was not a wealthy man, and he lived in a small bungalow. But he had a significant influence. Over 200 people attended the funeral and there were heartfelt tributes about the care this man had lavished on his family, friends, colleagues and charity. When we consider the possibility of our own death it’s 100% certain that we cannot take anything with us. However, we can choose what we leave behind. The legacy observed at this man’s funeral was one of love given and received. These were indeed true riches on display.

This contrasts considerably with the parable of the rich fool in Luke chapter 12. The rich man in Jesus’ story builds bigger barns for storing all his grain, thinking that he will make himself more secure. He says to himself, ‘Take it easy: relax, eat drink, be merry!’ But God says to him ‘You fool! Tonight, you will lose your life.’

 St Augustine offers this comment on the parable. The man was hoarding perishable crops while he was himself on the point of perishing because he handed out nothing to the Lord before whom he was now to appear. How will he know where to look when at that trial he starts hearing the words ‘I was hungry, and you did not give me to eat’. Augustine’s point is that the excessive accumulation of wealth is damaging to those who pursue it, as well as causing social injustice. Those who worship wealth develop a deluded understanding of their own self-interest, at the expense of others.

Our security is not dependent on amassing more wealth and constructing bigger barns. Our true wealth is hidden in Christ, and our spiritual riches enable us to be generous even when times are lean. As the old song goes:

Love is something if you give it away,

Give it away, give it away.

Love is something if you give it away,

You end up having more.

 Rev’d Philip.