Description
Our story from the gospel of Luke invites us to follow Jesus into the home of two sisters, Martha and Mary. Each sister responds to Jesus in different ways. Commentators over the years have made value judgements about the way each sister responds, and sometimes a conclusion is drawn about which sister is more womanly. I invite you to resist such temptations! Instead focus on the nature of the hospitality that each one gives.
Martha, the one who invites Jesus into their home goes about frenetically cooking and creating a beautiful feast for the Lord. Mary, in contrast sits at Jesus’ feet and listens deeply. Which of the two sisters is experiencing more deeply the hospitality of God, present in their home? What might this say to us as worshipping communities? Do we experience Jesus as the host of the gathering? Do we stop and rest and make time to experience the hospitality of God when we come to worship, or do we run around getting everything ready for those who will come to the feast?
Today’s reading from Colossians is a call to discipleship as part of God’s family – the church. As someone who is baptised, disciples are encouraged to “walk in him (Jesus)” [Colossians 2:6], be rooted and built up in him (Jesus) [Colossians 2:7) and to abound in thanksgiving. Many commentators say that the writer of the letter to the Colossians has probably used a very early “hymn fragment” in the writing of this text. This is because it sounds like something that the early church may have said as part of their liturgy.
