St. John’s Lutheran Church, Toluca, IL – 6th Sunday after Pentecost
Genesis 18:1-10a; Psalm 15; Colossians 1:15-28; Luke 10:38-42
Gospel: Luke 10:38-42
38Now as [Jesus and his disciples] went on their way, he entered a certain village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. 39She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to what he was saying. 40But Martha was distracted by her many tasks; so she came to him and asked, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her then to help me.” 41But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; 42there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”
NRSV
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The Persnickety Host and The Grateful Guest
According to a survey of thousands of adults made by “You” magazine in the U.K. (https://www.you.co.uk/how-to-be-a-good-host), a dream host:
- Keeps the conversation flowing
- Offers guests a drink soon after they arrive
- Makes sure guests don’t have to wait too long before the food is served
- Has a clean and tidy home
- Doesn’t make a fuss if anything gets broken or spilled
- Has a great selection of beverages
- Ensures all guests have a comfortable place to sit
- Offers to take people’s coats
- Has options for all dietary requirements
- Presents food nicely – whether they’ve cooked it from scratch or not
- Spends more time with guests than in the kitchen
- Defuses any awkwardness or questionable things said by guests
- Sits the right people next to each other to create good conversation
- Remembers your dietary preferences
- Tops up guests’ drinks before they even need to ask
- Serves courses on time
- Plans games and activities – but not forcing them on guests
- Has the perfect playlist for the occasion
- Knows what wine accompanies each course perfectly
- Lets other people bring things (salads, sides dishes) to share the load
- Having a stocked drinks trolley
- Gives guests the WiFi password
- Has the right glassware for all types of drinks, such as tumblers for spirits and flutes for champagne
- Can guess everyone’s drink without asking
- Keeps kids’ toys tidied out of sight
- Uses special serving plates for the occasion
- Cooks with unusual or creative menu ingredients
- Decorates their home in such a way as to create talking points for guests
- Personalizes name settings
- Books a babysitter or entertainment for kids
Sure, some of these things indeed sound very over the top. However, there may be some wisdom there if one wants to develop a reputation for being a good host.
The bottom line is. Being a good host, that is, to make sure our guests have the best experience possible, perhaps the time of their lives, is a lot of work. It takes anticipation, attention to detail, dedication, and the renouncing of personal time and resources. It is, in a way, good public service for friends, loved ones, and even strangers. Either by providing temporary relief to our everyday battles, some bliss when the way of the land seems too gloomy, or by restoring what has been bruised or broken, good hospitality has the power to transform things for the better.
The danger here, like everything in life – besides taking for granted the capabilities of your host – is allowing ourselves to be consumed by what we deem to be good, or excellent. It is a trap that often discards those who most need what we have to offer. For us followers of Jesus Christ, that is gentleness, compassion, forgiveness, generosity, and love. Perhaps the fear of disappoint sometimes leads to an obsession with excellence and doing the job perfectly. That is OK for personal tasks and goals like school or work assignments, the project in the yard, the room painting, etc. However, when it comes to being a caring host for human beings, things may get a little more complicated.
Personally, I think there is one feature of a perfect host that is missing from the list. It is the ability to see each and every one of the guests for who they are and what have they been through, without judgment or assumptions, in real-time. It is like the constant assessment of the temperature in the room while ensuring that every detail not associated with one particular guess is still in place.
Pastor, this is impossible! One can either oversee the whole banquet or provide one on one service!
Indeed, for mortals, it is likely impossible, but for God …
Take this oversized communion wafer which will be consecrated for the celebration of the Eucharist in a short while. It is made with the same ingredients and the same way as the smaller version that most of you will consume. It is crafted in specific ways to satisfy the traditions of some of us. We respect that. However, it is a common thing of this world, made of flour and water. It does not have a reputation for being good at all. Actually, it tastes like cardboard. It has minimal nutritional value. It will not sustain you until your next meal. It is cheap, actually.
Nevertheless, in theological circles, it is called the host. It receives such a name because when its simple elements encounter the Word of God that says that this is the body of our Lord and Savior, it becomes the fullness of God. Something deemed ordinary and often not good is transformed into all that Jesus Christ is for us.
In him, God was pleased to dwell and reconcile with us and all creation.
In him, we who were once estranged and hostile in mind, overcome by the power of the forces that want us separated from each other and God, are made holy and blameless, restored and free to be neighbors and good news to others. When we are united with the most magnificent of hosts, who sees us, understands us, forgives us, loves us, and knows exactly what we need from him, we become full of abundant and timeless life.
All are made possible solely by the faith gifted to us and written in our hearts.
Beloved of God, when Jesus invites himself to come and be with us when we gather in his name, hear the Word, celebrate our Holy Meal, and are sent in mission to proclaim his good news in word and deed, may we be both the host, and the guest, who receive with gratitude what he lovingly gives us and hear intently what he has to say.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
Bridging Faith 