The Hospitality of Jesus

How many of us here would identify well with St. Martha in the Gospel today? I am sure that we all know the feeling of being the “only one who does anything around here” and that seeing her sister “just sitting there” at Jesus’ feet must have frustrated her to no end. I get it – perhaps you do too.

However, if many of us can easily identify with St. Martha in her busyness and her desire for others to work, then we have a challenge offered to us from the Lord today. The Lord said to her in reply,"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."

“The better part.”

Notice that Jesus does not say that both hospitality and attention to His Word are the same; or that they are both simply different ways of serving Him. Christ calls what Mary is doing – apparently “just sitting there” – “the better part.” If that is true, then the part that Martha chooses is somehow less with regard to the Lord and what He wants of us as disciples.

That is hard for me to hear. Maybe it is hard for you as well. We often like to let people know how busy we are. That seems to be the default response when folks ask how we are – as if telling people that we are busy is the equivalent of telling them that we matter, that what we are busy doing gives us worth.

The hospitality that Martha offers is virtuous. First, it is expected as part of the Middle Eastern culture, even to this day. We see its value in the First Reading today, as Abraham and Sarah offer kind hospitality to the divine visitors. Because of that openness to others and that generosity, Abraham and Sarah are blessed with their son Isaac. Even here, we are expected to welcome others – not ignore them because “I’m busy praying.” Hospitality is holy, and it should have a place of privilege in our community. Because of it, we will be blessed.

But, there is a “better part.” When Mary sits at Jesus’ feet in her home, she is doing something radical. She is defying expectations because of her attention to Christ. As the sister of Martha and therefore one of the hosts, it would have been expected that Mary do things to make the Lord and his Apostles comfortable and welcome. She does not do this. Instead, she sits there, at the feet of Jesus, in a place that is culturally and traditionally reserved for male students. Again, she defies expectations, apparently unconcerned with what people will think of her – least of all her sister!

This better part, Jesus is saying, is not a place that is reserved only for “special” elect. It is a place that is open to all – the poor, the lame, the outcast, even women. In this simple act of allowing Mary to sit there, Jesus is showing even more radical hospitality to us all. You belong here, friends! You belong at the feet of Jesus. That's the hospitality of Jesus. Lay aside all your concerns, all your problems, all your busyness; and choose the better part.

The better part means being attentive to Christ. It means opening yourself to Him in unexpected ways and allowing His love and wisdom to engulf you – to captivate you. To the world, it looks like a “waste of time” – it looks like “doing nothing.” However, it is the most practical thing in the world and it is part of your ultimate salvation.

The one-time Jesuit superior general, Fr. Pedro Arupe, famously said that

“Nothing is more practical than finding God,

Than falling in Love in a quite absolute, final way.

What you are in love with,

what seizes your imagination,

it will affect everything.

It will decide

what will get you out of bed in the morning,

what you do with your evenings,

how you spend your weekends,

what you read, whom you know,

what breaks your heart,

and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.

Fall in Love, stay in love,

and it will decide everything.

Mary is a woman who has “fallen in love in an absolute and final way.” It is that love that has led her to the feet of Jesus. Martha knows that love, but she is still learning; and notice how gently the Lord teaches her today: “Martha, Martha…” His dear friend.

Jesus invites you and me to His feet right now.  He wants us to encounter Him and to fall in love with Him – that’s it. There is no trick, no gimmick.  He simply wants your heart, to love you and to be loved by you. That is what Mary chooses; that is what Martha is invited to; and that is what you and I certainly want.

It is the better part.