Hospitality

Had a powerful encounter with this passage as I was preparing for this Sunday's reading... This is an excerpt from Zenit, from the reflections of Fr Thomas Rosica.

Activity, passivity or receptivity?

Mary of Bethany, disciple of the Lord, has chosen the most important thing required in welcoming others -- her presence and full attention, so that it is her guest who shines. Martha and Mary stand forever as symbols of the two modes of life between which we continually oscillate.

Activity can become a shield against facing issues and questions and truths which must be allowed to surface if we are to survive. There are times when we simply must contemplate, must step back, must think, if we are to be capable of returning to meaningful activity.

The key of the Gospel story is not found in the tension of activity versus passivity, but in receptivity. The one necessity in welcoming others into one's home or community is being present to them -- listening to what they have to say, as Mary does in today's Gospel.

Something from the sermons of Cardinal Newman:

"There are busy men and men of leisure, who have no part in Him; there are others, who are not without fault, as altogether sacrificing leisure to business, or business to leisure. But putting aside the thought of the untrue and of the extravagant, still after all there remain two classes of Christians; -- those who are like Martha, those like Mary; and both of them glorify Him in their own line, whether of labour or of quiet, in either case proving themselves to be not their own, but bought with a price, set on obeying, and constant in obeying His will. If they labour, it is for His sake; and if they adore, it is still from love of Him.

"And further, these two classes of His disciples do not choose for themselves their course of service, but are allotted it by Him. Martha might be the elder, Mary the younger. I do not say that it is never left to a Christian to choose his own path, whether He will minister with the Angels or adore with the Seraphim; often it is: and well may he bless God if he has it in his power freely to choose that good portion which our Saviour especially praises. But, for the most part, each has his own place marked out for him, if he will take it, in the course of His providence; at least there can be no doubt who are intended for worldly cares. The necessity of getting a livelihood, the calls of a family, the duties of station and office, these are God's tokens, tracing out Martha's path for the many."

Such rich and deep reflection.

It has definitely challenged me in my reaching out to others. So often, it is easier to resolve to spending time relaxing and doing things I enjoy but lack the initiative in looking out for others and sharing time, love and life with them. Other times, busyness is a good excuse of not opening my heart to meet and listen to others.

So, today, I have taken time to share life with my friends: a dear friend and her new born daughter in the morning and 2 of my "adopted daughters" in the campus ministry this evening... I have been richly blessed by their enthusiasm in accepting my spontaneous calls and had good time sharing life with them. Indeed, the gift of hospitality is a 2 fold gift...