And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her. Luke 10:41-42
“Keep to a sparse and plain diet, not seeking a variety of tempting dishes. Should the thought come to you of getting extravagant foods in order to give hospitality, dismiss it, do not be deceived by it: for in it the enemy lies in ambush, waiting to tear you away from stillness. Remember how the Lord rebukes Martha (the soul that is over-busy with such things) when He says: ‘You are anxious and troubled about many things: one thing alone is needful’ – to hear the divine word; after that, one should be content with anything that comes to hand. He indicates all this by adding: ‘Mary has chosen what is best, and it cannot be taken away from her’. You also have the example of how the widow of Zarephath gave hospitality to the Prophet (cf. 1 Kings 17:9-16). If you have only bread, salt or water, you can still meet the dues of hospitality. Even if you do not have these, but make the stranger welcome and say something helpful, you will not be failing in hospitality.”
Evagrios the Solitary in The Philokalia: The Complete Text: Volume 1, compiled by St. Nikodimos of the Holy Mountain and St. Makarius of Corinth (London: Faber & Faber, 1979) 32.
Notice what Evagrios is saying to us.
To “keep a sparse and plain diet” and to not seek “a variety of tempting dishes” is about mortifying the desires of the flesh or controlling your wants so they do not control us.
He adds “one should be content with anything that comes to hand.”
I pray this for myself in China this week and for readers wherever you are. May God help us “choose what is best” and offer hospitality that aims at giving something better than food – words that are “helpful.”
Praying my preaching today is “helpful” for all who hear.