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When I was a girl, I loved spending time with my Grandparents. It didn’t matter what they were doing when I arrived, they would make time for a cuppa and a chat. Grandad would share his chocolates with me while we watched old black and white films together while Gran prepared a meal, usually old fashioned homemade chips with egg, fried in lard or maybe fish in parsley butter. Once the meal was eaten we would all chat over a strong cup of tea and some homemade cake.
Whenever you visited Gran and Grandad you would always be made welcome, Gran with her hospitality of the table and Grandad with hospitality of the listening ear. They were each comfortable in their role and happy to allow the other to do what they did best.
It was a hospitality not unlike the hospitality shared in ancient times, one that Jesus and his followers would have recognised. It was not unusual for travellers to rely on the kindness of friends for food and shelter, hospitality which was given gladly. Jesus himself along with his followers often enjoyed the hospitality of all kinds of people, from tax collectors to Pharisees to beloved friends. When he sent his disciples out to spread the Good News, he told them to rely on the hospitality of the townsfolk wherever they went and anywhere that hospitality was not forthcoming, to walk away, cleaning the dust from their feet in a gesture that hinted that it was the inhospitable town’s loss, not theirs.
In Luke's Gospel reading for this week, we find Jesus and his company at the home of Martha and Mary. Martha, the gracious host is busying herself with preparing a meal while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening to him speak. Martha becomes irritated at being left to do all of the work, recognising Jesus’ authority and hoping to get him on side, she asks her guest what he thinks of her sister not offering to help with the meal; Jesus’ response on the surface seems a little unfair. In fact had this response come from anyone else, it could even have been seen self-indulgent to say that listening to himself speak was of more value than the domestic chore of food preparation, but perhaps this is not really what Jesus is saying, Martha, we are told is distracted by many things, perhaps her focus was not on the task at hand, perhaps she had other things on her mind, taking her concentration away from showing hospitality. When Jesus chides Martha, he does so with affection, ‘Marth, Martha, you are worried and upset over many things’ he says. This is not Jesus saying that siting at his feet is more important than preparing the meal, not at all, Jesus is telling Martha to focus on her own task, catering for their physical needs, allowing Mary to listen to Jesus teach about God, both activities important in their own way, both sisters serving Jesus. Once the meal had been served, Martha would have been free to join the conversation having used her gift for active hospitality, relaxing in the company of Jesus and his friends. Two sisters, one offering hospitality of the table, one of the listening ear.
As followers of Christ, we are called to offer hospitality of table, to share what we have with those in need, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, but we are also called to offer hospitality of the listening ear, visit the prisoner, the sick, the lonely, the bereaved. Moreover, we are called to offer that hospitality with our full attention, not with one eye on what others are doing, because we each have our own road to travel and our own gifts of hospitality to give.
Questions:
- What may your gift of hospitality be?
- Where might you share Christ’s love?