What do you believe and why? Sounds like a simple enough question.
At every mass, we proclaim what we believe in the Nicene and
Apostle’s Creed.
“I believe in God the Father,
creator of heaven and earth and in Jesus Christ his only son, conceived by the
Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary.”
If you were asked that question outside of church what would
your answer be? Would your answer include God, Christ, or any reference to faith?
I heard a preacher (T. D. Jakes) who I think had it right when
he said people wear churchy clothes. They do and say churchy things. And, they go
to churchy places. People will worship the Lord on Sunday and forget all about
Jesus by Monday.
Friday night at dinner with my family and friends, some
conversations had gotten silly. Two young men were discussing twinkies.
So, I asked this question. What do you believe and why?
One answered, I believe that twinkies are the best, they are so
good.
I asked “What if you could choose a better way?”
He answered, nothing is better than a twinkie, unless it’s a
fried twinkie.
He
was being silly in that answer he gave to this Deacon. But, even for those in the presence of Jesus, that question is hard to
answer.
In the readings from Genesis, the LORD blessed Abraham and said
that his wife Sarah would bear a son. And even though Abraham and his wife Sarah
were advanced in years, Abraham believed.
Sarah believed it was funny and laughed.
In the gospel, we have two sisters that have very different
beliefs: Martha and Mary.
Martha, what do you believe and
why? Martha believed in the loving
kindness expected of good hosts and households of their time. Just like Abraham,
she rushed about to make sure that the LORD was welcomed, was comfortable, and
fed well.
Because of this, she was
worried and anxious about many things. If everything wasn’t perfect, would
people speak badly of her hospitality, family or manners? What if they ran out
of wine or food?
Mary, what do you believe and why? Mary believed the most important thing was to be in the presence
of Jesus. Why; because, He was the most important person in the room. He was
the most important person she knew. She chose him, the better part to listen to
his word and look upon the face of God.
The truth is they were both
doing what was important.
All are called to serve like
Martha. Just don't make a fuss or draw attention to it. Martha was worried
about making sure there was enough food for the one who had turned water into
wine and fed 5 thousand with a couple of fish and a few loaves of bread.
But, Mary focused on Jesus. Mary
wanted to be near to the LORD and to adore the one who would change bread and
wine into his body and his blood to feed us to eternity.
Most of the time, we tend to be
like Martha.
Sometimes, I get too busy or hurried
to take a quiet time for my holy hour of prayer, reading, and contemplation
with Jesus. I get a phone call or someone is in need and rush off to serve. But
when I miss that time with Jesus, it shows in my day and in my life.
Like Martha most tend to on things
other than Jesus in their busyness of life. It’s like we have our churchy clothes;
we do and say our churchy things and come to our churchy places. But, on Monday
faced with all the anxieties of life, we forget the LORD.
Jesus told is disciples “Do not
worry about your life, what you’ll eat, or about your body or what you’ll wear.
Life is more than these things.”
In his letter to the Colossians,
St. Paul tells us what he believes.
He believed he shared in the suffering and afflictions of the LORD
for all believers, the Church. He was sent as a minister and servant of the
LORD to bring the word of God. Why; because God chose to make the riches of his
glory in Christ known to all.
Believe in the riches of God’s glory: Abraham believed and nine
months later so did Sarah. And through Jesus Christ, Mary believed and Martha
beleived. And Paul preached it.
If someone asked you what you believe and why; what would your
answer be?
Yes we have the creed, but St. Paul sums up the creed: If we are
believers, we proclaim Christ. It is Christ in you that is the hope for the
riches of God’s glory.
Be good, be holy and preach the Christ in you by the way you
live your life and love one another. Amen
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