Two examples of hospitality: Abraham entertains angels in the form of men, Martha entertains the Lord in the person of Jesus. Abraham had no problem: he told his wife and servant to get on with the job, while he spoke with the guests and served them when the food was ready.

Martha, however, ran into trouble. Having no servant she had to prepare the meal herself. Her sister, Mary, meanwhile entertained the guest, listening to Him. Martha gets flustered and demands that Jesus tell her sister to help her. Jesus chides her for being too preoccupied with less important matters. He had not come for a banquet - just one dish would have been enough! Then she could have come and conversed with Him too, like Mary and this was what He had really wanted. Martha had missed the point of His visit.

We too can become so taken up with activies - even religious ones - that they distract us from God. We lose sight of the original purpose of our activities. Yes, of course, somebody must direct the choir. Of course, somebody must arrange the flowers for the alter. But, unless we keep reminding ourselves that these tasks are only to help bring people - including ourselves - closer to God, we shall end up like Martha, and miss the point.