true hospitality

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.  She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said.  But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

    “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”  Luke 10:38-42

In the passage above, Martha was focused on keeping cups filled and Jesus observes she is 'distracted by many things,' while Mary sits at Jesus feet seeking to have her cup filled.  Mary's interests were simple - focus on Jesus and direct all attention on him.  Can't you imagine her listening and being fully engaged in everything he said?

Could listening be a integral part of hospitality?  

Could receiving or carving out real space for others, to help them feel at home with us, be true hospitality?

I think true hospitality is about receiving people.  In conversations about hospitality,  we often consider the eagerness to invite others into our home to display our skills in serving food and drink.  But what if it's more than that?   Mary's focus was on Jesus - the guest.  The host was listening - receiving -  her guest. 

Do you receive others well?  

Are you a good listener?  

If we are to clear our interior space to make real room for others (like Mary), it will take time.  Listening is a discipline.   It is one of the most important gifts we can give one another.  Holy listening (as it's referred to in the Chaplaincy world) involves silencing all noise, interruptions, and centering our full attention on the person speaking. 

I've had a noisy day which involved not one ounce of holy listening.  I've ended up with a headache and heartache for my missed opportunities.  I felt surrounded by chatter that overwhelmed me into silence.  

What about you?  In the last twenty four hours, have you listened to others or were you distracted like Martha with all the tasks and responsibilities you have?  

Goal?

Learn to turn down the volume of chatter (mentally) and not allow myself to lose focus on giving my full attention to others.