Early Christians in the first century asked the question. Monks in the middle ages struggled with the issue. We see it in various forms in our world and in our lives today. Simply stated -- what is the most faithful way to live faithfully? Does following Christ mean becoming actively involved in the affairs of the world, struggling to see that peace and justice prevail for all people? Or does responding to God’s call in our lives imply a contemplative, reflective, devotional life spent figuratively “at the feet of Jesus?” As you are probably aware, or might easily guess, the answer to such questions is not a simple one and it certainly is not one on which there is wide spread agreement. Down through the years and across the span of personal and cultural experience, people have held every imaginable position.

Some will point to texts such as the parable of the Good Samaritan as proof that what Christ calls us to do is reach out and care for the hurting and the helpless people around us -- our neighbors if you will -- as agents of the One who sends us out to minister in God’s name. The Salvation Army is a whole movement within the Church which takes such a calling very seriously. The folks who work for Week of Compassion, One Great Hour of Sharing and Church World Service would certainly understand this view of faithful living as they struggle to bring comfort and healing to the victims of disasters around the world. Later this month, when we gather in Kansas City for the General Assembly/General Synod of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ, many of us will, in the words of coordinator Jayna Powell, be “getting dirty for Jesus” as we go out into the community to participate in various work projects. Such efforts are fueled by an understanding of faith which takes very seriously Christ’s call to “go and do likewise.”

On the other hand, there are those who will point to texts such as the story of Jesus in the home of Martha and Mary as proof that what Christ really calls us to do is to “be still and know that God is God.” The monastic tradition within the Church contains a strong leaning in this direction, particularly for those who take on vows of silence or spend long periods of time in prayer and meditation. In a different way we see this basic understanding of faith acted out by those who feel that the Church ought to stay out of politics. The venue of the Church’s responsibility, they say, should be limited to things such as prayer and Bible study and personal spiritual development.

The problem with such views, of course, is that both extremes are out of balance. Trying to force a choice of one view over against the other, as if one contains the true path to spiritual enlightenment while the other leads only to darkness, is not a very helpful model. There are certainly differences of personality and individual inclination, but that need not and should not lead to a narrow understanding of faithfulness. Perhaps a more fruitful approach might be to notice that both scripture references I mentioned sit side by side in the Gospel of Luke. The story of Mary and Martha follows immediately on the heels of the Good Samaritan story. And, in fact, both are introduced by the listing of what Jesus calls the two most important principles of faith -- to love the Lord your God and your neighbor as yourself. Side by side Luke has placed occasions on which Jesus called for active engagement with human need and being still, listening, and learning. Luke is not making a choice between them, nor is he asking the reader to make such a choice. The Samaritan and Mary belong together. They provide a healthy balance. Taken together these two examples affirm that faithful living has to do not only with love of neighbor, but also with love of God -- not only with active service, but also with a silent and patient waiting upon God. Following Christ involves both going out to do and sitting still to listen. Doing without listening can easily degenerate into a busyness which loses its purpose. And listening without doing soon becomes no more than a mockery of the words. Both the Samaritan and Mary are examples, and both are to be emulated. The burden lies in discerning when to do the one and when to do the other. The Christian life involves, among other things, a sense of timing. Or perhaps it might be more accurate to say that faithful living involves an intertwining and interdependence between our doing and our listening. Paul tells the Thessalonians to pray without ceasing. Maybe the goal is to have our actions be so prayerful and our prayers be so active that we can no longer distinguish the one from the other. At any rate, it is certainly not a matter of choosing to do or choosing to listen. God calls us into a life of balance in which we love God, neighbor and self with equal fervor. May it be so for us.