By Debbie Bosak

I have to be honest with you. Whenever I hear this week's Gospel from Luke (10:38-42), I find that I'm one of the few who has empathy for Martha.

Let's set the scene. Sisters Martha and Mary, along with their brother Lazarus, were dear friends of Jesus. On this particular day, Jesus, along with his twelve apostles, stopped by for a visit. Phones hadn't been invented; the Internet and emails were unheard of. Shoot, there wasn't even a Pony Express. So obviously, these thirteen hungry, thirsty, tired men just showed up unannounced.

What would you do if a group that large just suddenly showed up on your doorstep with an expectation of hospitality?

My first thoughts would be what I am going to feed them? Do we have enough wine for them to drink? Is the house presentable for company? Where the heck is my sister? (Actually, my sister would be at the head of the line to step out and lend a hand when needed.)

Martha found Mary sitting at the feet of Jesus, listening to him speak, and she was miffed. "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?" 

For years I've tried to make peace with this Gospel, because I agreed with Martha. 

Years ago, there was a family friend who was often at our gatherings. However, when it was time to do the clean- up, she would walk around looking busy, when in actuality, she never lifted a finger to help. It grew majorly irritating over time. 

Somehow, though, I suspected that I wasn't supposed to side with Martha because Jesus answered her frustration: "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. 

 . . . Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her."

Of course, sitting at the feet of Jesus is the better part of anything. Who wouldn't want to sit at the feet of our Lord? But I still understand where Martha was coming from, especially since none of those strapping young fisherman were indicating any willingness to pitch in and help.

Can there possibly be a compromise in my thinking?

Here's what I finally came to understand from this Gospel. Worship and hospitality; the two go hand-in-hand. We need to be both Martha and Mary. We sit at the feet of Jesus when we celebrate the Eucharist, when we pray, when we live good lives. But that's not all our Lord expects of us. He also is watching to see if we extend ourselves to others. Do we live with hospitality in our hearts?

Our worship should always lead us to a life of service. 

Worship and service. By embracing both, I believe our Lord Jesus smiles knowing that we finally "get it."