Hospitality and service are the interlinked themes of today's readings. The welcome Abraham and Sarah extend to their three visitors and that which Martha and Mary offer to Jesus have this in common - the guests are made to feel at home because of the quality of openness in the hosts' service of them. In Abraham's case, he and his wife are rewarded with the promise of a son.

In the days of Abraham and even in Jesus' day, travel was very different from what it is today. Travellers depended for survival on the hospitality of others in the desert culture. All travellers, whether of goodwill or not, were received as guests, and as guests they depended totally on their hosts for food, drink and shelter. Thus it was that Christianity could spread far in those days, thanks to the welcome given to the travelling missionaries, a welcome which involved spending time together and sharing life.

In Martha and Mary's case, hospitality meant that Martha served and Mary entertained their guest, Jesus, by sitting at His feet to listen to His word. Actually, hospitality should involve paying attention to the guest as well as seeing to his needs, and neither role is subservient to the other. Hospitality is being aware of the needs of others and of the silent presence of Jesus in our midst.