Eric's Sunday Sermon: Celebrations and The Lack of Love

Are we waking up with a list of things to do? Or are we waking up with a list of how to be? Sadly it is the former for way too many folks. Do we set our priorities first thing on what needs to get done? Or are we setting our minds and hearts as to how they must be done? Sadly again it is the former?

Happily this is not a Sunday Sermon on what we do wrong but rather one on how we can do better and live better and ultimately be better.

There is a very interesting lesson that is contained in the Bible and I shall quote it. The thrust of it is the notion that while there is much to do, there should also be priorities. And the good priorities are not of worry of the day to day. We ask a simple question that is a riddle of sorts: Who shall serve and who shall serve?

38 Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Notice here that the Lord does not rebuke Martha for caring about the world but rather points out that those with other more spiritual concerns are worthy to be treated well also. As we must eat a part of us must care about the worldly matters but the bulk of our attention must be on the spiritual side.

As an aside here I do not understand the story completely as I fall toward the priorities of Mary but I surely do like that well cooked and presented meal. I will keep working on it and appreciate those who toil to put food on the table.

During these times of celebration cards are mailed as a tradition. Very often filled with pictures of family to share with the recipient. They often go on a tree or up on a refrigerator or even a table set aside for the cards.What a wonderful tradition that fills us with memories of family and friends.

There is another fun notion that I always thought was a bit strange but I like it nonetheless. It is known most commonly as S.W.A.K.. Sealed with a kiss. Quite often reserved for lovers and often marked or sealed by a kiss on the card or letter envelope evidenced by lipstick. It is the idea that we make note of here. Do we seal our cards and letters simply by the glue that is on the envelope or do we seal them with love?

There is another fun story that goes a long way for many. It is a story about a newborn king. Other kings brought precious gifts to him out of their abundance. A small boy had no gift to give the king yet out of desperation he gave a song and played it on his drum for the king. And this gift was a gift to be treasured above all others. (a short version of the story is below and if you do not know the story it is wonderful to watch and if you know it - enjoy)

If we pay attention and give from our hearts our lists are not just writings on a paper and not something that must be done in a hectic hurry. But rather are labors of love. If there is just no time with all that must be done, then it is time to reconsider just what must be done.

Perhaps we give too many gifts and so we dilute the real reason for giving them. Perhaps we go into debt in order to maintain a facade. Perhaps we feel we must give certain people certain gifts.

I have a sister that just loves any gift giving season or reason. She actually thinks of gifts and goes about getting them as early as Easter of the year. She has a closet full of gifts that she thinks are just right for just the right person. She just loves to wrap presents. Here holidays are not hectic but filled with joy. I have always thought that this was the perfect combination of Martha and Mary. However when she is cooking you had better chip in and help or get the heck out of the kitchen and stop nibbling on her creations ;-)

Absolutely we can still join in on the rat race and do it in love. It just takes a little effort and really no more time. We come to believe that when we are needing to get things done we are needing to frown and concentrate fully on getting "it" done. When what we should be concentrating on is our smile and doing the big "it" in love. I promise it does not help us do things better or faster if we do "it" in a hurry already thinking about the next thing to do.

It is just a proven fact that when we enjoy what we are doing we do it better. It does not matter what it is that we are doing. And doing things in love is one of the surest ways to enjoy what we are doing. And I tell you with no reservation that doing things in love is contagious, you will infect those around you.

I was once in a little village in Southeast Asia. A gift was received and it had been opened and broken in shipping. To me it was sad. To the grandmother who received it from her granddaughter off in a foreign land it was joyous to receive anything sent in the love of a granddaughter. I knew then that I had to get my priorities straightened out. And so more to me than to you I write this sermon to remind me of what is truly important.

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