Simon, Simon, Martha, Martha
There are two instances in the Bible where Jesus repeats someone's name in addressing them. Both are his very close friends, Martha, the sister of Lazarus and Mary, and Simon Peter, the apostle. (Both of these are found in St. Luke's Gospel.) In each occasion he was especially trying to get their attention as they were distracted.
Martha was distracted with the amount of work she perceived that she had before her, a distraction amplified by the impression that Mary was not going to help her.
Peter was at the Last Supper and was engaged with the other apostles in a discussion about who was the greatest.
In both cases, Jesus had something great to share with them, but he had to get past the preoccupation on their minds.
The same is true for us.
There are many things that occupy our minds. Sometimes we may choose to dwell upon them, as it appears Peter and Martha were doing at this time. Other times these occupations come in the form of millennial bombardment.
Communications experts have emphasized that an advertisement must reach its intended audience with a message repeated at least six times before it is ever first noticed. This doesn't mean we are dull. It is rather a symptom of the information overload of the present age.
My father often related to me how his first-grade teacher would only give instructions once, and that he admired her for this. It might have been a sign of an effective teacher in the 1920s, but not today. I even question whether it was true in the 1920s. After all, Jesus had to repeat, even to get the notice of His closest friends.
This subtle occurrence in the relationship of Jesus with two of his close friends carries great wisdom for us.
First, we needn't be surprised if we have distractions. If they existed 2,000 years ago, many more exist today.
Also, we see the need for perseverance. Jesus spent a lot of time with Martha and Peter, not to mention all the other disciples. It was so that He had the opportunity to bless their lives to the full extent of His will.
We often direct our prayer to the Father, through Jesus or in His name.
Let us not leave out the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who is especially interested in bringing us wisdom and perseverance. If they were needed for Martha and Peter, how much more for us? How blessed will we be if Jesus calls our name (and even repeats it from time to time.)
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The Rev. Hodgson began the pastorate in Poplar Bluff on July 1, 2015. Previous to that, he had served in Carthage, Missouri from 2003 to 2015.
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