What Must I Not Do?

Gospel: Luke 10: 38-42

How often have we been hosting a gathering in our home, and we became so busy and preoccupied with various details of the meal, drinks, desserts, and such that we never took the time to talk with our guests? It happens quite often, and we often regret that series of events after the fact.  We find that we only had time to say hello to our guests when they arrived and to say goodbye to them when they left.  While our guests may have loved the food, they would have preferred your company.

To a great degree, that is the point Jesus is making in today's Gospel passage with his friends Martha and Mary.  He reminds us that the most important aspect of hospitality is the simple presence we should make with our guests.  Acknowledging their presence and honoring it with our attentive presence is the most fundamental aspect of human interaction that is the most ignored and overlooked, especially in our frenetic times.  

This fact has a spiritual dimension as well.  We often make busy in our prayer time with all sorts of exercises and activities we call prayer, but we are so consumed with these details that we fail to be present in prayer.  Just the simple presence of being with God is enough.  That is the most basic element of prayer, just as it is for human interaction.  If we but take the time and discipline to be present before God, the rest will take care of itself.