In God's Tent the Stranger is Always Welcomed. 16th Sunday

We begin with simple hospitality. The open generosity shown to others even the strangers. Abraham (who we are told the Lord appeared to) sees three foreigners approaching and rather than suspicion and fear (for there is always a risk in hospitality) Abraham and his wife Sarah open themselves up and invite these strangers (apparently messengers from God) into their home lavishing them with cooling comfort and refreshment. And not just what they could easily spare, but a substantial feast is described. And hidden within the generous feast was an offering to God in thanksgiving for all they had received and so in turn could share with others and of course, for the gift of peace among strangers. Their hospitality which asked for nothing in return is rewarded by God, with the promise a son. And this promise is fulfilled.

 In the 2^nd reading Paul rejoicing in his suffering for the sake of others offers us a different take on hospitality. A different sort of generosity. Paul is sharing with others not a physical space or material goods but, rather a new interior disposition. Simply put, Paul, like Abraham and Sarah greets and invites the stranger into his life.  Paul offers up his strength and joy, but also his weakness and afflictions.

And in holding nothing back, in offering up all of himself for the sake of another, Paul is “filling up” by his hospitality of spirit what is lacking in the of the Body of Christ, the Church. In this curious statement Paul shows us that in Christ and for Christ there is a new interior hospitality and a Spirit driven generosity to others (a filling up of what is lacking in all things).

 This Christ centered hospitality takes the risk of opening up to others, inviting them into the home (physical or metaphorical). For Paul, this hospitality sometimes was met with joy and gratitude but often with indifference and hostility. Yet, Paul gladly takes the risk, gladly opens himself up to all encounters, gladly suffering weakness, failings and disappointment, for something beyond himself and that something is the Body of Christ.

The Body of Christ, the Church has and will suffer perpetual growing pains in coming to completion. In this regard it is afflicted and lacking and Paul gladly gives everything he has and is, including his suffering to make it whole.

This seems to me some sort of grace filled hospitality of; radical openness and inclusive invitation, risk taking and sharing, that knows no boundaries, no borders, no race, and no nation.

This new interior hospitality is a sign of God’s own abundant hospitality shown us, that also knows no boundaries, no borders, no race or nation. Paul tells us that God’s hospitality once hidden is now revealed in Jesus. In Jesus God’s own saving graciousness pours forth comforting and refreshing all who come to him. In the Kingdom of God the stranger is always welcome. At God’s table the tired, the weak, the imperfect and the broken are rested and strengthen, healed and mended. In God’s tent suffering is not suffered alone. 

 On the road to Jerusalem, Jesus and his disciples stop at a village and come to the home of Martha and Mary. Martha and Mary, according to St John, live in Bethany and are the sisters of Lazarus. Martha and Mary love Jesus. They (as did their brother) always welcomed Jesus and his companions into their home. And this day was no different.

As the pleasant late afternoon unfolds and Mary, as she loved to do and so often did, sits at the feet of Jesus, listening to the stories. Martha, (perhaps the elder sister), is behind the scene (like Sarah) lovely preparing food and drink. By her very nature she foregoes the conversation choosing rather to serve Jesus and those gathered together.

At some point this day, Martha reaches her limit and goes to Jesus or I imagine Jesus noticing Martha laboring goes to her into the kitchen area to chat with her. Martha uses the opportunity to complain saying, Lord, do you not care that I am doing all the work? She asks Jesus to tell Mary to get up and help her.

 Now, I am certain that Mary did help in the kitchen, at least sometimes and that Martha did listen to Jesus, who wouldn’t. But, not this day. On this day, at this hour Martha felt put upon. Jesus knows the sisters well and so reply’s “Martha, you are anxious and worry about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.

 I believe that if it had been Mary that complained to Jesus saying Martha never stops and listens to you. I am sure that Jesus would say to her. Mary don’t worry about it. There is only one thing needed and Martha has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her. Jesus knows that each do what they do out of love for him.

 And what is this “one necessary thing”? This “chosen part” that will not be taken away?

It seems to me that the one necessary thing that Abraham and Sarah offered the strangers and Paul offered the new communities.  The one necessary thing that both Martha and Mary, each in their own way, offer to Jesus. I suggest, at least for today, that this one thing needed is - attentiveness.

Martha or Mary, either active or passive (if listening can be thought of as passive) are two side of attentiveness, the focused care and concern for another, is the “one thing” always necessary in true hospitality.

And the attentiveness hidden within hospitality is simply the gift of self to another, freely given, asking for nothing in return. Attentiveness (by its very nature) will always look and feel different depending on the persons involved, or the situation or the need, because it is never about the self it is always about the other. Sometimes it’s preparing food or sometimes it’s listening. Sometimes it’s welcoming the immigrant into our lives or sometimes it’s sharing the burden of suffering or letting another share our suffering.

 In the end hospitality and the attentiveness hidden within teaches us two fundamental Christian virtues which affect every aspect of our lives, humility and kindness. We learn humility when we receive hospitality graciously for we are all sometimes the stranger and it teaches us kindness when we naturally think of the other first.

Finally, we need to remember that hospitality is relational. And attentiveness is the one thing needed in all relationships. Being open and receptive to the needs of another is how we transcend the tyranny of the self. It is how we lay down our self-centered life. It is how we love as Jesus loved. It is how we love neighbor. It is how we love God. It simply how we love.