Church of the
Annunciation

Both Martha and Mary are women of hospitality. Martha welcomes Jesus into their home and Mary, her sister, sits at the feet of Jesus. Martha burdens herself with details of hospitality and asks Jesus to tell Mary to get back in the kitchen to help. Jesus refuses. Gently, Jesus chides Martha that she has become anxious and worried about many things but Mary, by listening to Jesus, has chosen the better part and will not be deprived of it. Hospitality is expressed both by serving a delicious meal and also by the host being attentive to the guest. We see these two different yet complementing dimensions of hospitality play out in the person of Abraham. When mysterious strangers show up, Abraham extends an invitation for them to stay. Like Martha, Abraham is caught up with details: he orders water to be brought; tells Sarah to bake biscuits; selects a tender, choice steer and commands a servant to roast it. But then like Mary he “waits” on the guests. He gives them his personal attention. After they have been fed, the mysterious visitors – angels unaware – promise the blessing of a child to Sarah and Abraham. Abraham and Sarah remind us to welcome visitors/strangers into our assembly. Martha and Mary remind us to welcome Jesus into our homes and hearts.