Radical hospitality is a buzz word in church circles today. The idea is simple — in a world full of strife and division, church is the place were “all are welcome.” Of course this is not a new idea; it is as old as faith itself. Father Abraham practices radical hospitality when he welcomed the three visitors and prepared a welcoming feast for them. Jesus was famous (notorious?) for practicing radical hospitality by sharing table fellowship with “tax collectors and sinners.” The story of Martha and Mary inviting Jesus into their home shows us an important aspect of radical hospitality. Martha understandably wants to set a splendid table for her guest and does not understand why her sister is not helping her. Her sister is occupied, not with the “burdens of serving,” but with entertaining her guest. And that, Jesus maintains, is the better portion. No doubt Jesus will eventually want to eat and Martha will shine at that moment. But first he wants to feel at home with his friends. Radical hospitality means giving what the guest needs, not what we feel comfortable giving.
I wonder if we as Church sometimes get stuck in wanting to, like Martha, give the rich banquet of our creeds, beliefs, teachings, practices, traditions. That is what we feel comfortable giving. But that is not what is needed initially to welcome someone. First, people need to know that they are accepted, that we will listen to their story, that we will welcome them as they are. Giving what the guest needs has the priority as Mary demonstrates. Only after they know they belong do we sit that at the table of our glorious religious heritage.
