Sixteenth Sunday of the Year: C: July 20, 2025

 THE GREAT VIRTUE OF HOSPITALITY 

Introduction: In today's liturgy we have two mentions of hospitality: 1. Abraham gives hospitality to three strangers not knowing that he is entertaining the Lord God. 2. The sisters, Martha and Mary, welcome Jesus into their home in Bethany, though each does so in different way. In every Eucharistic celebration we are told to leave behind our cares and concerns of the world. We are asked to lay them at the feet of Jesus. This is what a woman called Mary does in the Gospel today. In His presence, we experience our true worth, which consists, not in doing, but in being. 

First Reading: Genesis 18: 1 to 10

Second Reading: Colossians 1: 24 to 28

Gospel Reading: Luke 10: 38 to 42

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

   *Second reading is from St. Paul's letter to Colossians. Paul elaborates to Christian community at Colossia and all of us his experiences of many 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 His immense love for everyone. 

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 is 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 do something more than just listening to Jesus. Jesus listens to the complaints of Marta 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 the one thing that is needed: To welcome the Lord by listening His precious words. Jesus praises Mary for setting the priorities right. Hence, true hospitality according to Jesus means: To listen to His Word and to 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. In this context K. Norris  says: "True hospitality is marked by open response to the dignity of each and every person." 

Conclusion: In the Eucharist Jesus welcomes us as guests and extends to us His hospitality. Like Mary, He sits by us and listens: He shares with us the feelings of our hearts and the thoughts our minds. Like Martha and Abraham, Jesus does everything He can for His guests: He uplifts us with forgiveness, inspires us through the Word of God and feeds us with His own body and blood. Through His hospitality, Jesus shows tender mercy and love to us. The question is, can we do the same for one another?

May the Lord Jesus, who accepted the hospitality of Martha  and  Mary and blessed them, bless you with a generous and loving heart so that through you God dispenses His blessings on others. Amen.

 (Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/ Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph, July 20, 2025." Thanks.)