The week’s Gospel, the story of the visit of Jesus to Martha and Mary in their home, is about balance as much as it is about anything else. Yes, we’re supposed to be busy and industrious. We’re supposed to do the things we’re expected to do and care for the challenges placed in front of us. We’re supposed to make sure everyone has enough to eat and drink, especially when we’re the ones responsible for their care… (which echoes back to the parable of the Good Samaritan).

But it’s also about keeping the main thing, the main thing. It’s about keeping God central to our lives. It’s about regular prayer. It’s about regular study. It’s about something as simple as marking the Sabbath – by perhaps even coming to church when you’re busy, or when you’re on vacation.

And, because, and this is important, no story in the Gospel or any of the books of the Bible, have a singular definitive meaning, this is about recognizing that God’s love and God’s gathering of people into the Household of God (the Kingdom of God) will cross the arbitrary human boundaries that we have constructed.

You can view the sermon directly using this link.