Tuesday of the 17th
Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saint Martha
July 29, 2014 6:30am
From the gospels we know that Martha,
Mary and Lazarus – 2sisters and a brother – were close to Jesus.
Jesus must have felt comfortable
with them and welcome in their home.
Today we honor Martha, and I
think she has several messages for us.
First, Martha shows the value of
hospitality.
Saint Benedict used to say that
the guest at the door is the person of Jesus and we should treat a guest that
way.
So hospitality – in our homes or
in our church, God’s home – hospitality shows respect to a guest.
It creates a bond.
It makes someone there for the
first time feel more comfortable.
It creates an opportunity for
reconciliation if that is needed.
It creates a relationship where Christ
can be present and alive.
I have to think that Jesus’
words, “Where two or three are gathered
in my name, there I am in their midst” – those words apply even in the
showing of simple hospitality.
So Martha is an example of
hospitality, and then, Martha helps us to appreciate those who work behind the
scenes.
That’s what Martha was doing here
– getting the meal ready, largely unnoticed.
Those who work behind the scenes
know what must be done to make someone welcome or make a good event happen for a
large group.
Their efforts make hospitality
happen and make relationships possible.
Martha makes us recall this and
recall the importance of thanking those who work behind the scenes.
So, our thanks to Saint Martha
for the good messages and reminders that she gives us!
