16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Gn. 18:1-10 | Ps. 15:2-5 | Col. 1:24-28 | Lk. 10:38-42
About three weeks ago we read this same passage from Genesis. It is a wonderful story of hospitality from the Hebrew Scriptures. Most of us would recognize it, once we began to read it. Abraham is the perfect host under hospitality rules for the desert. He does not hesitate to welcome and feed the visitors to his camp. Martha, on the other hand, is also exhibiting great hospitality towards Jesus. She gets her home in shape and prepares the meal. She is so involved in doing this, “the right way” that she forgets to sit down with her guest to talk. Mary, her sister, is doing just what she is not doing. When Martha becomes exasperated, she approaches Jesus and asks Him to correct Mary. She hears a different response than she expected. “Martha, you are busy about many things. Only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part.”
What does it mean to be hospitable today? How do you show hospitality to God? Do you give time to prayer each day? Do you need to begin a regular time for prayer each day? What will you do about this?