During his 3-year ministry, Jesus was a traveling preacher–in essence homeless–dependent upon the hospitality of strangers and friends. Martha and Mary opened their home to Jesus frequently.
Martha seemed most concerned the quality of her hospitality than the quality of time with her guest. Can you think of a time when you were more interested in impressing people with your hospitality than about being interested in them?
When was the last time you opened your home to a missionary, a friend, or someone who needed help? What stops you from using your home as a place for ministry to the needs of others?
For Further Reflection
The ancient manual for churches known as the Didache (The Teaching), wrote this instruction regarding traveling preachers:
“Whosoever, therefore, comes and teaches you all these things that have been said before, receive him. But if the teacher himself turns and teaches another doctrine to the destruction of this, hear him not. But if he teaches so as to increase righteousness and the knowledge of the Lord, receive him as the Lord. But concerning the apostles and prophets, act according to the decree of the Gospel. Let every apostle who comes to you be received as the Lord. But he shall not remain more than one day; or two days, if there’s a need. But if he remains three days, he is a false prophet.” (Didache, Chapter 11)
Why do you think boundaries were put around hospitality? When do you think it is OK to turn someone away or to say ‘no”? Consider posting a comment to let others know what you do when you know someone is simply taking advantage of your generosity.
Tongue on Fire 
Aahhh–the Mary/Martha conundrum. I am familiar with it, and I find it is more complicated with each passing year. I recently read that “busyness is the new sloth.” I definitely fill my time with unnecessary, unproductive activities, so I’m not sure I even do as well as Martha, who was at least busy with real activity. As for finding time to sit at Jesus feet and listen, I’m super glad I can utilize this lenten journey with you all. I depend upon it entirely right now.
I’ve opened my home up a couple times; for me it is easier to open my home for weeks and months rather than for just a night. When people are around for a longer duration, no performance can be maintained, as it can be for a night or weekend. Also, boundaries are good and necessary, and continued communication is the hard but needed tool for negotiating them.
I’m practicing hospitality with my kids this week. Weird, huh? They live here, and are, you, know, my children. Hospitality? So what I mean is, I’m trying to make our home more open to them, every room, even mommy and daddy’s (though not at every hour of the day), even each other’s rooms (though with reasonable boundaries for privacy and alone time); I’m also trying to help them feel a sense of ownership in the running of the household. We all can be at home here, and each of us has a part in caring for our home…it is something we can do for each other. Whole people, loved people is our goal, and the stuff that makes up our household property can help or hinder that goal depending on the decisions we make.
As with Mary and Martha, time seems to me to be the right measurement of assessing if I’m living out my priorities rightly. I’m workin’ on it.
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As always, I appreciate your honest self-reflection and insights. I’m so glad you’ve joined us on the journey.
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