A Lesson on True Hospitality from Martha and Mary – Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C

The Gospel Reading of the 16^th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C (Luke 10:38-42) is rather a familiar story about Martha and Mary to Jesus.

Jesus came to the house of Martha and Mary, who were sisters.

Martha welcomed Jesus in and kept herself busy preparing for dinner. Mary, on the other hand, sat at his feet and listened to him. 

Martha must have thought Mary was “lazy” for not helping her in the kitchen.  So, she interrupted Jesus speaking to Mary and complained about her sister Mary, saying, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me”(Luke 10:40). Perhaps, Martha was hoping that Jesus would admonish Mary.

To this, Jesus said:

Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her (Luke 10:41-42).

It turned out that it was Martha who was chided by Jesus.

So, what was Martha’s problem and why did Jesus say, “Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her”(Luke 10:42)?

Yes, Martha was burdened with waiting much (Luke 10:40). And Jesus saw her anxious and worried about many things (Luke 10:41). 

If you are visiting a friend, and this friend, a host, looks tired and overburdened with his or her tasks, seems anxious and worried about many things, how would you feel? Would you be comfortable to stay in such a place? Perhaps, you would feel like leaving there soon as such a situation could make you feel as if your presence had burdened the friend.

In contrast, Mary sat beside Jesus, at his feet, listening to him speak (Luke 10:39).

Whose heart was closer to Jesus?

On the surface, Martha may seem hospitable to Jesus, as it was her who welcomed him in. But, it was Mary who opened her heart for Jesus and let his words into her heart.

When we think of our hospitality to guests, we tend to think of opening our houses and serve delicious dinners. And this is certainly a part of hospitality. But, the Gospel Reading (Luke 10:38-42) reminds us that what is absolutely necessary for hospitality is our hearts’ closeness to the guests. If our hearts are away from the guests, all the service could be nothing but empty gestures. Also, as we learn from the case of Martha, our guests may not feel welcomed if our hearts are not in peace in serving them.

To be genuinely hospitable, we need to make sure our hearts were with our guests, rather closer to them. And our hearts are open fully to what they offer – receiving what the guest gives with greater gratitude.

Mary totally opened her heart to Jesus. But Martha’s heart was not as she was preoccupied with many things, including tasks of serving. And this is what Jesus pointed out.

Jesus comes to us because he loves us. He comes to us anytime. Then, are we like Martha, burdened with ritualistic tasks and worried about so many things? Or are we more like Mary, at peace with him, listening to him and receiving what he offers with full heart?