Sixteenth Sunday of the Year: C: July 17, 2022

            THE VIRTUE OF HOSPITALITY

First Reading: Genesis 18: 1-10

Second Reading: Colossians 1: 24-28

Gospel Reading: Luke 10: 38-42

   *First reading is from the book of Genesis. The hospitality shown to three strangers by Abraham and how he welcomes them is narrated. By welcoming those three, he in fact is welcoming the Lord God. Abraham displays the warmth of eastern hospitality. He washes their feet and invites them to take rest. Meanwhile Sarah his wife prepares a sumptuous meal and waits inside a tent. The hospitality of the couple is amply rewarded and the Lord God promises them a son in answer to their deepest desire. 

   *Second reading is from St. Paul's letter to Colossians. Paul elaborates to the Christian community at Colossia and all of us his experiences of sufferings for Christ the Lord. He explains that in our own sufferings we are never alone: Christ is always with us drawing us closer and closer to Him. In the person of Jesus, God really walks among His people, accepting their hospitality and teaching them God's immense love for us. 

The hospitality of Martha and Mary                                                              Today's Gospel reading is from St. Luke. We meet two sisters - Martha and Mary - who show great hospitality to Jesus when He visits them. Martha becomes fully engaged in preparing a meal while Mary sits at the feet of Jesus and listens to His life-giving teachings. Martha is busy to the point of distraction. She thinks Mary should be doing something more urgent than just listening to Jesus. Jesus listens to Martha's complaints and makes His own observations: that Martha is busy and anxious about many things which are trivial. In all her fret and fuss, Martha is missing one thing that is needed: to welcome the Lord by listening to His precious words. Jesus praises Mary for setting the priorities right. Hence true hospitality according to Jesus is to listen to His Word and live according to it. Listening to the Word of God should take precedence over all our other cares and concerns. The way we continue to have God as our guest is when we welcome His Word and act upon it. 

"True hospitality is marked by open response to the dignity of each and every person." - K. Norris.