Today's gospel speaks of the hospitality given by Mary and Martha to the Lord. This is a curious episode because there is no mention, as there was at the wedding fast of Cana, of the presence of any of the Apostles. It is an intimate domestic encounter where friends catch up after a period of absence. It is also speaks of the all too familiar tensions that can arise in family life over who does what. Just as Jesus elevated the wedding feast of Cana to become one of the signs of the inbreaking of the Kingdom, leading eventually to the sign of the resurrection, so too he takes this moment to teach his friends and us a lesson about the spiritual life. As I see it, Jesus is not just a guest to be fed and watered. He is also the host because he feeds Mary and Martha with his teaching. This is the point that he makes to Martha who is so intent on being the host that she forgets to be a guest. What ever we "give" to God we receive so much more from his hand. In fact, anything we do "give" him is derived from what we have already received from his hand. The mind of God and his generosity are beyond us but if we sit at his feet and listen to the Word we know that we will continue to be shaped by his love and filled with joy at his wonderful gifts. St Paul wrote: "O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 'For who ha known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counsellor' 'Or who has given a gift to him to receive a gift in return?' For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever. Amen." (Rm 11: 33-36)
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