In the story of Martha, Mary and Jesus from Luke 10:38-42 (click here to read), so often the takeaway is that we must listen to God (Jesus in this particular story), OR we should be hospitable (like Martha making the meal).

I think the story might really be a “both/and” scenario, instructing us that we must listen and act; both are critical elements of being hospitable. And if we believe “listening” is truly part of being hospitable, we should think about who we are listening to. Even more, who aren’t  we listening to?

Pastor Steve Garnaas-Holmes reflects on Luke 10 in light of the various “Lives Matter” movements right now. I think this is a poignant reminder that hospitality is more than handing out a free meal or an easy donation every-so-often. We must be prepared to listen and act.

Mary sat at the Lord’s feet
and listened to what he was saying.
—Luke 10.39

Where your treasure is,
there your heart will be also.
—Luke 12.34

What matters to us is what we pay attention to.
When nobody pays attention to people,
when they are not heard,
they get the message that their life does not matter.

If their lives matter they must first matter to you.
Today you will encounter someone
who’s gotten the message their life doesn’t matter.
You can show otherwise by listening to them.
You can hear their story, hear their heart,
listen to what they are saying.

And if it really matters to you,
speak up for them that they may be heard,
give them the microphone,
that they may bear that treasure into the world.

Until they are heard
their lives matter
only to God.

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