A big part of my ministry is one of hospitality. How comfortable am I with being present to the people of my community? Is my style of preaching welcoming or off-putting?

Contemplatives and actives: Can’t we all just get along? It’s not like a battlefield exists out there somewhere, with a line drawn in the sand between those who pray and those who serve. No serious Christian is against worship or thinks that practicing what one preaches is irrelevant.

As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said.

Just before my daughter Hannah graduated eighth grade, the school hosted a dance for students and parents. The graduates-to-be were honored for their unique achievements. Then they were gathered together for a group photo.

A few years ago, my wife and I added a new routine to our preparations for family parties that we host. It’s made a world of difference.

Though I readily empathize with Mary’s poor, beleaguered sister, Martha, I think we do the gospel a disservice when we pass her off as a fussbudget hostess whom Jesus gives a little set down. Martha’s anxiety goes much deeper than that.

We present ourselves to God, in hope of God’s mercy and forgiveness.

Attention is the rarest and purest form of generosity.