Martha: Our Longing for Belonging
Are you part of a vibrant community?
Our Guest Blogger today is: Desiree Blank, Coordinator of the Welcome Ministry at OLIH
What is hospitality? I feel it is making people feel welcome, comfortable, at ease, important, and valued. How we provide hospitality can be very different for each of us depending on the unique gifts given to us by the Holy Spirit.
For some, you might have the gift of listening. That ability to make others feel they can share their thoughts and open their hearts without fear of judgement. You aren’t expected to solve a problem but simply listen. Our Stephen Ministers have this gift and many others do as well.
I am more like Martha in Luke 10. My time is spent being busy creating a comfortable environment and preparing meals and desserts. I want my visitors to feel welcome and important in a relaxing spot conducive to conversation. They will know they are important by the love and compassion put in the food we share.
Using the gifts given to us to provide hospitality, creates welcoming and vibrant communities. We have opportunities to provide hospitality every day in our families, parish and work. It doesn’t matter what gifts we have or where we use those gifts. Only that we do.
What are your gifts? How will you use them?