Episode Transcript  

One

Martha, Mary, and the One Thing Needed

Today is the Feast of Saints Martha, Mary, and Lazarus. In Luke 10, we read, “Jesus came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house…”

You know the story. Mary sits in stillness at Jesus’ feet while Martha is flustered with all the work. Jesus gently says, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things. One thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken from her.”

It’s easy to see this as a simple contrast: Martha bad, Mary good. But slow down. Who invited Jesus in the first place?
Most likely, it was Martha. If it were up to Mary alone, Jesus might not have even crossed the threshold. Martha's welcome made possible the encounter. Her hospitality built the space for friendship. And that friendship led to one of Jesus’ most tender miracles—the raising of their brother, Lazarus. All three became saints. That’s no small thing.

So yes, Mary chose the better part, but Martha made the better part possible. She is the saint of invitation, of presence, of setting the table. And now, it’s our turn to do the same.

Two

The Lie That Isolates Us

But there is a frightening trend. Instead of friendship, people are choosing entertainment. Instead of conversation, they scroll. Instead of hospitality, they retreat behind screens. And the result? Loneliness. Disconnection. Despair.

Entertainment offers the illusion of connection without cost, without effort, without risk. But people? People are inconvenient. They’re imperfect. They interrupt our plans. They ask something of us.

And so we label them: annoying. Difficult. Toxic. And we isolate ourselves, not realizing we’re building our own prison. Hell isn’t fire.
Hell is being alone forever, with only your thoughts to keep you company.

If you're retreating into entertainment instead of risking relationship, then you’re rehearsing for Hell. Is that what you want?

Three

Friendship: The Antidote to Despair

Now, maybe your life feels boring. Or painful. Or overwhelming. And maybe you think: I just need to escape for a little while. But when the show ends, nothing has changed. The pain is still there. The boredom returns. The loneliness deepens. Friendship is the only real antidote. When life is painful, a friend doesn't remove the pain, but they share it. When life is overwhelming, a friend helps you carry the load. When life is boring, a friend brings surprise and joy and the unexpected grace of being seen.

Entertainment is passive. Friendship is participatory. It asks something of you. You can’t talk back to a screen. But a friend looks you in the eye and says, “I see you. I’m here.”

And isn’t that what you really want?

Four

Friendship Costs Something—And That’s Why It Matters

Entertainment demands nothing. Friendship demands everything that makes us human. It takes commitment; you don’t wait until it’s convenient. It takes an invitation; people are waiting to be invited, and they will keep waiting until you act. It takes hospitality, which means creating moments worth coming to: a meal, a walk, a game night, a shared prayer. It takes consistency; the glue of any lasting relationship. It takes forgiveness, because there is no perfect friend, and you aren’t one either.

Entertainment is sterile. Friendship is messy. But the mess is where the grace is.

Five

What Will You Do About It?

I’ll tell you what I’ve done. I looked around at my life,my wife, my parents, my grown kids, their spouses, my grandkids, and I made a decision.

Once a week, I cook supper. I open the door. I invite them in. We eat, we talk, we laugh. I don't nag those who don’t come. I rejoice in those who do. I keep showing up. It’s now a habit, a rhythm of love, anchored in presence and food and conversation. And it’s grown. I invite others beyond that circle. One at a time. No big programs. Just invitation, hospitality, and real conversation.

You don’t need a crowd. You need one person. Start there. Invite them in. Cook something. Ask a good question. Be like Martha and set the table. Because Jesus still comes to those who make room.

Suggested Resolutions:

Choose one resolution for today to help you grow closer to God, or create your own. Here are some ideas to inspire you. 

• Follow Martha’s example by making the effort to host this week, even if the invite isn’t accepted. Keep extending the invitation to others, offering hospitality.

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