Too Busy To Be Hospitable

Reflection Date: October 06, 2026 | Tuesday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Memorial of Saint Bruno, Priest
Memorial of Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, Virgin
Daily Readings: Galatians 1:13-24; Luke 10:38-42

Children of God:
Across many communities in India, handfeeding is a deeply meaningful expression of hospitality, affection, and care. 

People traditionally eat with their right hand, while a host, elder, or close family member may shape a bite of rice and curry and gently feed it directly to a guest or loved one. 

This gesture carries a sense of intimacy because the person offering the food personally attends to another person's needs. Food itself has a special place in Indian culture, where the Sanskrit word annam refers to food as something precious and sacred. 

Sharing food therefore goes beyond satisfying hunger because it can communicate welcome, respect, affection, and belonging. 

When someone feeds another person by hand, the gesture can express a relationship that goes deeper than a simple transaction between host and guest. 

Parents feed children as an expression of care, elders may feed younger family members as a sign of affection, and hosts may offer food personally to make guests feel truly welcomed. 

Hospitality therefore involves more than preparing food because it requires giving a person attention and presence. 

This cultural gesture helps us appreciate the gospel story of Martha and Mary. 

Jesus entered their home, and Martha became busy with the many preparations required to welcome a guest. Mary, meanwhile, sat at Jesus' feet and listened to what He was saying. 

Martha eventually approached Jesus and asked Him to tell Mary to help her, but Jesus answered, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” (Luke 10:41-42) 

What are our inspirations for today?

First, being present can be more important than being busy.

Martha was busy serving Jesus, and her intention was good. She wanted to welcome Him properly, prepare what was needed, and make sure everything was in order. 

Yet her many tasks eventually made her anxious and frustrated.

We can easily understand Martha because our own lives can become filled with things that need to be done. We answer messages while talking to someone, check our phones during meals, think about tomorrow while someone is sharing today's problem, and remain physically present while our minds are somewhere else.

Jesus reminded Martha that there was “need of only one thing.” (Luke 10:42) 

Sometimes that one thing is simply giving our full attention to the person before us. A few minutes of genuine listening can communicate more love than many activities done without presence.

Being present can be more important than being busy.

Second, good service needs a heart.

Martha served, while Mary listened. 

The tension came when Martha became so concerned about the work that she wanted Jesus to correct Mary. Her service had become a source of frustration because she felt that she was carrying the responsibility alone.

There are moments when we also need to pause and ask whether our service is still giving life to others or whether it is making us resentful. We can do many good things and still lose our peace when we measure everything by productivity, recognition, or the amount of work we accomplish.

Jesus said that Mary “has chosen the better part.” (Luke 10:42) 

This reminds us that listening, resting, praying, and being attentive to people are not wasted moments. They can restore our hearts so that when we serve again, we serve with greater freedom, patience, and love.

Good service needs a heart.

As we reflect, we ask ourselves: Am I giving enough attention to the people who are physically present with me? 

When does my desire to accomplish many things prevent me from listening to someone who needs me? What do I need to pause today so that I can become more present to God and to the people around me?

Children of God:
We live in a world that often measures our value by how much we accomplish. 

We can become proud of full schedules while forgetting the people who are waiting for our attention. 

Service requires a heart that knows when to pause. 

Let us learn to recognize moments when the person before us deserves our undivided attention. 

May we become people whose presence makes others feel welcomed, valued, and heard.