By Lucy Johnson

Growing up across the street from St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Marinette, WI, the church was literally the center of my life. It stood between my friends’ houses, my grade school, and our house. My mother was active in the Altar and Rosary Society and never hesitated to volunteer any of her six daughters when necessary.

When I moved to St. Paul, MN as an adult and became a member of St. James Catholic Church, the first organization I joined was the Council of Catholic Women (CCW). I identified with the “church ladies,” as they reminded me of my mother, six hours away.

Through the years, I also volunteered my children. In fact, this spring, one of the mothers at my youngest son’s high school commented on how helpful Andrew was setting the tables for the tennis banquet. I was shocked at her surprise; Andrew has worked at funeral luncheons, pancake breakfasts, donut Sundays, and spaghetti dinners since he was a toddler.

I really identify with Martha of Bethany; and feel that she often gets a bad rap. Someone has to make the coffee and serve the food, right? The reality is that today, more than ever, the Catholic Church needs both Marthas and Marys—both hospitality and spirituality.

Have you ever visited a Catholic church? How were you welcomed? Did anyone smile at you or even be so bold as to greet you, introducing themselves and asking your name?

How about at your own church? Do you try to identify someone new at Mass? Perhaps asking a simple question, such as “Are you visiting?” or “Do you live around here?” or “Are you new?”

Once in a while, I will ask a long-term parishioner if they’re “new,” and we laugh as we realize that we usually attend different Masses or sit in different sections of the church.

Perhaps it is the “Mary” part of our lives that we need to develop? Do we need to grow closer to Jesus, to listen to His every word? We can begin by reading the daily Mass readings, which can be found online at www.usccb.org or you can invest in a daily Mass and mediation publication, such as Magnificat or Word Among Us.

The next time you have the opportunity to visit a church other than your own, observe how you are welcomed. Focus on how you feel as a visitor, and don’t be afraid to smile at someone else or introduce yourself.

When you get back home, use the good examples that you saw to welcome strangers. Or perhaps extend hospitality to a neighbor, by inviting them to your house for coffee or a glass of wine. Hospitality is a form of spirituality when done with love and for the right reasons. But we can’t neglect to develop our spirituality.

Are you looking for a way to practice hospitality and grow spiritually?  Consider hosting or organizing a Read Between the WINEs Book Club for women in your community this Fall/Advent.  The new Gaze Upon Jesus book is a perfect pairing for any small group gathering.

“Are you a Martha or a Mary?” My answer is yes!

 

 

Fruitful Fridays WINE Blog #FinestWINE

Fruitful Friday is a weekly column revisiting some of our favorite previously posted WINE columns.

We are excited to look back at the many years of wisdom shared by the amazing team of WINE Writers.

DISCUSSION QUESTION

Which sister do you most associate with?

Martha, the one who seems to readily notice and respond to the physical needs of others?

Or Mary, the woman who recognizes a special moment to be at Jesus’ feet and takes advantage of it?


About the Author:

Lucy Johnson lives in St. Paul, MN with her husband, Jeff.  She has 7 children and 8 grandchildren.  Lucy is the Past-President of the Archdiocesan Council of Catholic Women. (ACCW 2013-2015), Pharmacist,  and a “Martha” working on her “Mary”.