One of the things that has always amazed me as a foreigner living in the Philippines is the warmth of Filipino hospitality. It’s not just about offering food or a seat at the table. It’s the genuine joy of welcoming a guest, the way people smile, prepare, and even go out of their way to make you feel at home. Whether I’m celebrating the mass in the chapels, visiting a family in their home, or even just speaking with strangers, there’s always this deep desire to make someone feel cared for. It reflects something deeply Christian, a value that goes beyond culture.

This Sunday’s Gospel gives us a beautiful scene of welcome. Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary. Martha shows her love by preparing the house and attending to the needs of her guest. Mary, on the other hand, simply sits at Jesus’ feet and listens. Both are expressions of love and hospitality. But Jesus gently points out that Mary has chosen the better part. Not because Martha’s service was wrong, but because there is something even greater in simply being with Him.

In many ways, we understand Martha. We love to prepare when visitors come. We clean, cook, organize, and make sure everything is in order. But like Martha, we sometimes get too caught up in the details. We worry, we rush, and we forget to enjoy the presence of the guest. The Gospel is a reminder that beyond preparing things, we are also invited to prepare our hearts to our special guest, Jesus. He wants not just our service but our attention.

He longs for us to make space for Him, not only in our homes but in our minds and hearts. He wants to be with us not after we’ve finished everything, but in the middle of it all. He is the guest who brings peace, if only we stop for a while and listen. Mary reminds us that sometimes the best thing we can do is to sit still and be with the Lord.

We ask ourselves; how do we welcome Jesus? Do we get lost in our to-do lists and worries, or do we take time to listen to His voice? This Gospel calls us to choose the better part. To pause, to be present, and to let Jesus be at the center of our lives. Because in the end, the most important gift we can offer is not what we do, but who we are when we are with Him.