Being Hospitable!

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

Gal 1:13-24; Lk 10:38-42

Today’s Gospel invites us to understand hospitality from the point of view of the guest rather than the host. 

Jesus’ encounter with the Bethany sisters is a bit puzzling because it appears that Martha’s effort at hospitality is not recognized enough while Mary’s behaviour is approved of by Jesus. 

Here, we must note that Jesus is neither indifferent nor thoughtless toward what Martha is concerned about. If not for a dutiful host like Martha, no guest can cherish hospitality. 

We find Martha very generous in her efforts to care for Jesus. In a way, Martha’s efforts at supporting Jesus are nothing less than the material support provided by the wealthy and influential women of the Jewish society (Lk 8:1-3). 

The real problem seems to be that though Martha is well-intentioned about taking care of Jesus, she cannot make Jesus feel that he is a guest. Mary is successful in attending to her guest just by listening to him. It seems that Jesus needed listening ears more than feeding hands. 

Secondly, Jesus’ encounter with Martha and Mary shows that listening attentively to the guest is a form of solidarity. While Martha is worried about setting before Jesus a sumptuous meal, Mary accompanies her guest without leaving him alone behind. Giving what the guest needs is the best form of hospitality, and Mary masters the art. 

Let us pray that we may be hospitable to Jesus in the needy humanity.

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar