“Make yourself at home.”
How often have I said those words to another?
How often have I had those words said to me?
They are words of welcome.
They are words of hospitality.
They are words of openness.
They are words of generosity.
This Sunday’s Gospel (Lk. 10:38-42) recounts for us a visit of Jesus to the house of Martha and Mary.
Much is made of the interaction between the sisters and most homilists I have heard spend endless minutes siding with one or the other, or in an attempt at reconciling each to the other.
In doing so, the person of Jesus might well be overlooked!
The Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer has a painting of today’s Gospel scene.
The painting is titled, “Christ in the house of Martha and Mary.” (1655) and hangs in the Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh.
It is the largest and one of the earliest surviving paintings by Vermeer. It is also his only known work of a biblical subject.
I encourage you to spend some time with this work by Vermeer and notice the relaxed poise in which the artist has painted the figure of Jesus (Christ).
As you gaze at this figure, recite the mantra quietly and reflectively, “make yourself at home”