By Rev. Dawn Taloyo, Associate Superintendent, PacNWC
38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him as a guest. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he said. [emphasis added]
40 But Martha was distracted with all the preparations she had to make, so she came up to him and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do all the work alone? Tell her to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is needed. [emphasis added] Mary has chosen the best part; it will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10
It’s a familiar passage; one I know well and love. As I listened to it read a few weeks ago, in a contemplative style of reading (lectio divina) led by Executive Minister Paul Lessard, I was stopped again by the image of Mary sitting at the Lord’s feet. What a provocative space to inhabit as a woman! How incredible to know she was welcomed and affirmed in that inner circle space with Jesus.
What emerged in my mind and imagination this time were the multiple stories of individuals who assumed this posture and were also affirmed by Jesus. A few quick examples came to mind…
- Luke 7, the women who anoints Jesus’ feet and to whom Jesus says, “Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown.”
- Luke 8, the Gerasene demoniac healed by Jesus, “…the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind…”
- Mark 3, when Jesus’ family comes looking for Jesus, his reply: “’Who are my mother and my brothers?’ he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.’”
These represent only a few examples, but I hope you hear the affirmation as well:
Only one thing is needed: to be found at Jesus’ feet.
As we begin a New Year, with all the possibility and uncertainty it holds, only one thing is needed: to be found at Jesus’ feet.
As we look around and perhaps observe fewer numbers in our congregations, only one thing is needed: to be found at Jesus’ feet.
As we think about New Year’s resolutions or renewed priorities, only one thing is needed: to be found at Jesus’ feet.
What does that mean exactly? First, I hope you will take that image to heart and prayer and see what God speaks to you. What do you hear from God when you consider the one thing needed?
For me, it is a reminder that above all things, my sense of belonging and attachment to Jesus takes priority. In my opinion, the pandemic has given many the permission to “opt out” and find belonging in places other than with the Body of Christ – His local church. Belonging is a basic human need, written into our human genetic code. Our culture offers us a multitude of options and distractions when it comes to finding belonging. There’s a group for every interest, cause, passion, or hobby. I have no problem with the delight of finding like-minded community, but may it never eclipse the one thing needed. That is, our belonging with the community of “brothers, sisters, and mothers” that choose to find their place at the feet of Jesus.
I hold that image, that invitation and affirmation, close when I go to prayer. I love imagining myself among those in Martha’s house, or the other house where his family came knocking, and knowing that inhabiting that space and position at Jesus’ feet is welcomed and affirmed.
As we move into 2022, I pray that we might draw near, find rest and belonging in the community of Jesus who sits at his feet.