Charley, newly retired, had a new job - a greeter at WalMart.
He did fine, but could never get to work on time - 5, 10, 15 minutes late. He was a good worker, neat and tidy in appearance, sharp-minded and a real credit to the company, demonstrating the very best of company policy - “Older Person Friendly.”
One day the manager called him into the office a chat … “Charley, I have to tell you, I like your work ethic, you do a bang-up job when you finally get here; but your being late so often is quite bothersome."
"Yes, I know boss, and I am working on it."
"Well good, you are a team player. That's what I like to hear.
“Yes sir, I understand your concern and I will try harder.”
The manager, slightly puzzled, went on to comment, “I know you're retired from the Armed Forces. What did they say to you there if you showed up in the morning late so often?"
The old man looked down at the floor, smiled, chuckled and then said with a grin: "They usually saluted and said, Good morning, Admiral, can I get your coffee, sir?”
Things change for us all the time … time moves on … what we were, we are no longer; what we shall be remains to be seen … and in the flow of time:
Moments …
Opportunities …
When kitchen-duty needs to be set aside and we need to sit at the feet of Jesus.
Martha was irritated by Mary’s behavior …
Martha, a good person, but she failed to recognize the sacred moment … Martha choose the normal pattern - what she always did, and what she was good at - she could prepare a fine meal, and do it quickly, and everyone was satisfied.
Martha ran a clean ship, a good operation - if you’re hungry, go to Martha’s house - she’ll take care of ya … and Mary, her sister, is right there - the two of ‘em set a fine table - their home is open to friend and stranger alike.
And today, Jesus came a-calling …
Martha defaulted … she did what she always did … she went to the kitchen to prepare a meal for Jesus and those traveling with him … 5 people, 10 people?
It was a house full, no doubt, and when Martha went to the kitchen, she expected her sister, Mary, to be right there … “Mary, where are you? I need some help.”
Martha relied on Mary … if help was needed, Mary was there … the two of ‘em worked together; they made their house into a home … Martha knew what she was doing in the kitchen, and Mary was always there, ready and able.
But today was different!
Mary didn’t follow Martha into the kitchen … she stayed near to Jesus, and “sat at the LORD’s feet.”
That of itself was slightly unusual, if not controversial … to sit at the feet of Jesus is to declare her status as a disciple, and for Jesus to allow it was unusual, too ... it was very rare for a rabbi to welcome a female disciple, and rarer still for a woman to boldly go where only men are welcome.
Martha steps outta the kitchen and scolds Jesus for letting Mary get away with it, especially when Martha is working so hard.
“I need help in the kitchen - a lot of hungry mouths to feed, and I need Mary to help me. I can always count on her; I need her in the kitchen with me right now.”
“Martha, Martha,” says Jesus … saying her name twice, to get her attention … “you fuss and fret about many things, but today, here and now, there’s only thing that counts, and Mary has made the right choice; it won’t be taken from her.”
Many a sermon has been preached on the different talents we have - some work in the kitchen, others sit and study … true enough, but that’s not what this story is all about. It’s not about talents and ability.
It’s recognizing the sacred moment … something important comes our way … it demands that we step out of the usual pattern, get outta of the kitchen, put aside what we do best, let it go for a few moments … take advantage of the sacred moment …
History makes these moments clear, in retrospect … the challenge is to see them when they’re happening; not when they’ve passed us by.
I think of Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation … that was the moment to decide - who’s a citizen of this fair land? - just some, or everyone? … a lot of folks told to Lincoln to let it pass by; “Now’s not the time,” they said … but Lincoln saw the sacred moment.
I think of Republican Senator Everett Dirksen, after whom the Senate Building is named … when it came time for Civil Rights Legislation - he walked across the aisle, much to the consternation of his colleagues, and made common cause, as he said, “for an idea whose time had come” … he saw the sacred moment.
What are the sacred moments that stand before this great nation today?
For me, the sacred moment has to do with doors … doors open, not closed … the Emma Lazarus Poem on the Statue of Liberty:
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries sheWith silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
As the hymn says, “Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide …”
For Mary and Martha, the moment came when Jesus paid them a visit … yes, they’re all hungry, but now’s the time to sit at the feet of Jesus.
The sacred moment - a time to learn and a time grow … to look up and not down … to look outward, to see what’s happening … break the pattern, do the unusual … don’t be afraid … be brave, take a chance …
Drive to work another way and pay attention to a world you haven’t seen …
If you’re in the kitchen, try a new recipe, and if it’s not very good, who cares? … but give it a try anyway.
Stretch your wings … fly as high as you can … dream, and dream big … aim for the stars.
The sacred moment ...
When it’s time to sit at the feet of Jesus. Amen and Amen!
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