Jesus was a visitor to the home of two sisters and a brother, Martha, Mary and Lazarus. In that home we learn about two types of hospitality. One is a hospitality of the table; the other is a hospitality of the heart (see Luke 10:38-42).
Hospitality of the table is about sharing our food with people. It is about responding to the material needs of others, what used to be referred to as the corporal works of mercy. Hospitality of the table is symbolised by the gesture of breaking bread. It is an act of Christian service. It was the hospitality that Martha offered Jesus and his companions.
Hospitality of the heart is about making time for people. It is about listening to people and allowing them to tell their stories. It is about creating and building relationships. Hospitality of the heart is the very essence of Christianity. It was the hospitality that Mary offered Jesus.
These two types of hospitality, hospitality of the table and hospitality of the heart, are both necessary. We have material needs and we have relationship needs. From the very beginning the followers of Jesus recognised this and sought to respond to both. The Christian community needs Marthas, people who serve others in practical ways. The Christian community also needs Marys, people who sit and listen, who allow others to share what is in their hearts, who help to build relationships. Some people are more naturally like Martha. They are happier doing practical things for others. Other people are more naturally like Mary. They are content spending time with others listening to the story of their lives. The truth is, while one may come more naturally to us than the other, we need to be both. If we put all our energy into doing practical things, we end up neglecting our relationship needs. If we spend all our time listening and talking, the necessary practical things will never get done.
There is of course an important message in this gospel story that Jesus is keen to get across to us. It is the difference between Martha and Mary which he was quick to spot. Martha gets her value from her work, from what she does. She only feels good about herself when she is useful and productive. Mary, on the other hand, gets her value from her belovedness, from the fact that she belongs to God and that God takes delight in her. Mary knows that she is loved unconditionally. She does not have to be busy in order to feel worthy of love. In short, Martha thinks that love needs to be earned, whereas Mary knows that it is gift. Jesus is adamant. Mary has got it right! The Father’s love is gift, not achievement. To Martha and indeed to us, Jesus says: ‘You have no need to keep yourself busy. Learn to relax. Let yourself be loved as you are. Be still and know that I am God.’