Today's reading speak about hospitality and treating guests. Abraham royally treats the strangers not knowing who they truly were. But given his Jewish upbringing and natural habit of taking care of those who travel, he treats them well. Mary and Martha too attend to Jesus when he visits their house in Bethany. The difference in both these instances, as stated by the Parish Priest in his lovely sermon today, is that Abraham did not know whom he was attending upon. Mary and Martha knew very well who and what Jesus was. Not knowing that they were divine beings, Abraham offers them whatever comfort he could provide, since they needed it. Martha was busy offering Jesus the things He did not really want, not immediately! It was not necessary to give to Jesus then, but be open to receive from Him! What and whom to give, has been stated by Jesus elsewhere... To the Samaritan woman he says, "If you but knew who is asking you for water, you'd be the one who'd ask Him to give you the living waters!" Martha and Mary knew Jesus, yet Martha was keen only on giving to Jesus. Elsewhere Jesus says, "When you throw a banquet, do not invite those who will be able to repay your invitation in kind, rather invite those who will not be able to pay you back!" This clearly states whom to invite: strangers, poor, the destitute... your enemies.
Quite a point for reflection: Jesus has more to offer than you have to give!
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