The Heart of Hospitality – Listening, Loving, and Living the Word of God. (Luke 10: 38-42). (Story of Martha and Mary).

When I was a teenager, I often heard sermons on the story of Martha and Mary. More often than not, the preacher would say that Mary was right and Martha was wrong because she was too preoccupied with worldly matters. I used to wonder—was that really fair?

All over the world, hosting guests is considered important and honourable. So, was Martha truly wrong for wanting to serve Jesus? Over time, as I grew in faith and did some research, I realized that Jesus was not being judgmental toward Martha. Instead, His words held a deeper meaning, not just for her, but for future generations of believers—especially those gathering in homes as the early Christians did.

To explore this passage more deeply, we need to consider why Luke, the Gospel writer, chose to include this seemingly simple domestic scene. At first glance, it may appear minor—but it carries profound significance, especially when seen in the context of early Christian life.

In the first century, Christians did not have church buildings, cathedrals, or designated sanctuaries. While the temple in Jerusalem remained central to Jewish worship, the resurrection of Jesus and the rapid spread of the Gospel—especially among Gentile communities—led believers to gather in private homes. These house gatherings, often born out of necessity and at times secrecy, became the earliest expression of what we now understand as “church.”

Against this backdrop, it is striking that—unlike Matthew, Mark, or John—only Luke records this intimate domestic scene. And he places it purposefully within a Gospel that consistently uplifts the humble, includes the outsider, and highlights the role of women and the marginalized in God's Kingdom.

So why does Luke, a Gentile physician and a careful historian, choose to preserve this story? Because it is not just about two sisters. It is about the very identity of the early church. In the absence of formal temples, homes became sanctuaries—and discipleship began not in religious institutions, but around kitchen tables, in living rooms, and in shared, everyday spaces.

Luke, also the author of Acts, understood the crucial role of the household in Christian community. The Book of Acts repeatedly shows believers meeting in homes (Acts 2:46; Acts 12:12; Romans 16:5; Philemon 1:2). These house gatherings weren’t merely social: they featured shared meals, the reading of Scripture, prayer, and teaching. But these gatherings also came with real, ordinary responsibilities. Someone had to clean, cook, host, and serve. These roles often fell to women—faithful, behind-the-scenes disciples like Martha.

It is in this light that we return to the home in Bethany. Martha’s busyness is easy to understand. In a culture that honoured hospitality, preparing for a guest—especially one like Jesus—was no small task. And yet, through this story, Luke intentionally reminds us that the home is not only a place of work and service—but also a sacred space for worship, listening, and spiritual formation.

According to Luke, in this home in Bethany, Jesus does not rebuke hospitality itself. He does not shame Martha’s service. Rather, He reminds her—and, by extension, the early church—that the heart of the Christian life is not primarily about what we do for Jesus, but about being with Him.

As we delve deeper into the scene at Bethany, we discover another striking detail: Mary’s act of sitting at Jesus’ feet was radical in a patriarchal society. In Jewish tradition, this posture signified the position of a disciple before a rabbi—a role typically reserved for men. Yet Mary assumes this position, and Jesus does not correct her. Instead, He affirms her choice. In doing so, Jesus elevates her as a full and equal participant in the spiritual life of the home—affirming that discipleship is not limited by gender, and that every believer is invited to learn from Him.

Luke’s message to the early church is clear: women are not merely caretakers of domestic spaces—they are disciples, too. In the early Christian house gatherings, every believer—regardless of gender or social status—was to be treated as one called to learn, grow, and worship.

Mary’s example, then, is not just personal—it is ecclesial. Her posture before Jesus reflects the kind of community the church is called to be: one where all are welcome to sit at the Lord’s feet. Especially in a domestic setting, this story serves as a reminder that even amid the necessary busyness of hosting, the presence of Christ must not be neglected.

It is essential to grasp the significance of this story in its original context—and its continuing relevance for us today.

The early church had no choice but to gather at home. There were no churches, no official leadership structures for many years. Faith had to be lived out in the context of meals, chores, and relationships. It was messy, human, and very ordinary. And yet, it was here—amidst pots and pans—that worship took place.

Luke includes the story of Martha and Mary not to create a hierarchy between service and contemplation, but to teach the early church a balance. In a world where pressures of survival, persecution, and community-building were heavy, Jesus offers a gentle correction and that is, do not let your doing for Me replace your being with Me.

This call to balance between presence and service continues to speak even today. It reminds me of our own ministry experience in India, where we witnessed firsthand how vital it is to have both “Mary” and “Martha” in our churches. Let me share two stories that really brought this to life for us.

In the diocese where my husband and I served in India, there was no café or facility to provide food for visitors or pastors coming for diocesan work. In response, the Diocesan Women’s Fellowship proposed starting a canteen at the diocesan office to raise funds for women’s empowerment projects. The suggestion was warmly received and approved for implementation.

The Women’s Fellowship named the initiative Martha’s Kitchen—a tribute to Martha’s service to Jesus. Since the diocesan office is one of the most frequently visited places in our region, the canteen quickly became a success. The funds raised through Martha’s Kitchen were significant and went on to support many valuable initiatives focused on empowering women.

Another experience that comes to my mind is from the time when my husband was serving as the pastor of a parish of about 200 families, he noticed that only a few households were hosting or attending the fortnightly cottage prayers, which always ended with a full dinner. After asking why, he discovered that the cost of providing a meal was discouraging many, especially poorer families. He introduced a simple guideline: no dinners—only tea and snacks if the host wished. The effect was immediate. Families who had never hosted before opened their homes, attendance grew, and the sense of community deepened. Most importantly, worship returned to the centre, no longer overshadowed by concerns about who could afford to entertain, much like the early house churches whose focus was simply to encounter Christ together.

Though our circumstances may look different today, the spiritual challenge that has persisted through every generation remains unchanged.

We are sometimes, get so caught up in preparing for God that we forget to simply sit with God. Our programs, planning, and busyness in ministry have knowingly or unknowingly replaced our personal prayer, stillness, and listening. Luke, through this brief but powerful story, may be gently guiding the early Christians—and us today—with a few core reminders: *that- Service is good, but presence with Christ is better. *That, Hospitality matters, but it must not distract us from the Word of God. and *that, Women are full participants in discipleship and worship.

Therefore, be it a house church or any church, it should reflect Christ, it should have Christ-Centered priorities, not just societal expectations.

To conclude, Luke’s inclusion of this brief domestic story is a theological statement. It teaches the early church—and us- that Jesus values presence over performance.

In our era of programs, technology, and constant motion, we are called to serve the Lord—and to root that service in a deep, abiding relationship with Him.

Today, just as He did with Martha, Jesus lovingly invites us out of our distractions and into His presence—not to condemn our busyness, but to remind us of what is eternal. In a world filled with noise, deadlines, and burdens, He calls every believer to choose the better part. He reminds us to become disciples once again—to sit at His feet like Mary, to listen, and then to rise and serve with joy.

With this in mind, let us continue to pray—for ourselves and for churches around the world—that we may focus on Jesus Christ amidst the busyness of life.

May we hear His still, small voice saying:
“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)

Medha Masoji🌿

(This Sermon was preached at St. James Church, Biggera Waters, in March 2025)