First Reading: Genesis 18:1-10a/Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 15:2-3a.3bc-4ab.5 (R. 1a) Second Reading: Colossians 1:24-28/Gospel Acclamation: Luke 8:15/Gospel: Luke 10:38-42
Theme: The Art And Act Of Hospitality
Last Sunday, we had the opportunity to reflect on “who is my neighbour?” using the parable of the Good Samaritan. We learnt that, as children of God, the term ‘neighbour’ should have no boundaries for us, but that, love and generosity should be extended to anyone who is in need. By so doing, we become candidates for eternal life. Today, we are given another aspect of service to our neighbours through the art and act of hospitality. Abraham, St. Paul, Mary and Martha avail themselves as instruments of hospitable service to humankind in imitation of God’s loving care for humanity through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Ever ready and gratuitous hospitality is a true sign of service to our neighbours. May their example inspire us to be hospitable to one another!
Growing up, we met a tradition in the home where our mother would always preserve some food for any visitor(s) who may come in after our meals. On his part, our father would always come home with fruits, bread, and other pastries. So, there was always some food available even if it is not much. Apart from this, mum would ensure that we keep the frontage, sitting room, and washrooms tidy. She would often say: “You never know who would pop in at any given time!” Little did we know that she was nurturing in us the disposition – what we may call the art, and the practical demonstration – what we may call the act, of hospitality. One memorable childhood experience was that a certain man frequented our house and a special plate and cup were kept for him. We were to discover later on that he was a ‘mad’ man, but because mum always kept food for him, he always found his way back into our house. Certainly, he was a very wise ‘mad’ man!
There is a story of a woman who found three old men sitting in front of her house looking tired, hungry and thirsty. She said to them “I have never seen you before, and it seems you are hungry. Come in for some food.” To this, they responded: “where is your husband?” “My husband has gone to work,” she said. They said to her: “We will not enter your house till he comes home; we will wait for him.” When her husband returned, she told him about the three old men, and he asked her to bring them into the house. When she came to invite the old men in, they told her that they never enter a house together; that their names were Wealth, Success and Love; so she should go back to her husband and ask him to choose any one of them. The husband preferred Wealth while the wife, Success. While they were still arguing about their choices, their little daughter overheard them and made her own suggestion: “Would it not be better to invite Love? Our home will then be filled with love!” The couple gave in to their daughter’s idea and asked the three old men: which one of you is Love? Please come in to be our guest.” Love got up and headed for the door. Surprisingly, the other two also got up and followed him, and when the couple asked why the other two did so, they answered: “when Wealth or Success is invited, the other two stay out, but since you invited Love, wherever he goes, we go with him!” Indeed, wherever there is love, wealth and success are never missing. The practice of love and charity towards our neighbours is hospitality, and with it comes wealth and success, peace and progress, and favour and blessing!
Consequently, in the first reading, Abraham welcomed three men into his house and treated them to sumptuous meals and relaxation. He did this with a humble and serviceable disposition. He told them: “Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree, while I fetch a morsel of bread, that, you may refresh yourselves, and after that, you may pass on…” (Gen.18:4-5). Not only that, there were more courses to follow the first. Abraham brought them “curds and milk, and the calf which he had prepared, and he set it before them” (Gen. 18:8a). As if this was not enough, Abraham “stood by them under the tree while they ate” (Gen. 18: b). To describe Abraham and Sarah as culinary experts, good chefs, and the best waiter and waitress is an understatement! They were truly hospitable! Little did they know that their actions would elicit the blessings and favours of God. Indeed, Abraham’s prayer: “Lord, do not pass by your servant” (cf. Gen. 18:3), was answered when eventually, God blessed him and his wife, Sarah with the child Isaac, even in their old age (cf. Gen. 21:1-7).
We see a similar scenario in the obscure Bethany home of Martha, Mary and Lazarus. These siblings always played hosts to Jesus, not really knowing that by doing so, they were opening the door of their home to God himself. Whereas Martha exemplified the active apostolate, Mary portrayed the contemplative apostolate by sitting under Jesus’ feet to listen to his words (cf. Lk. 10:39). From these two sisters we learn that both active and contemplative apostolates are unique but connected. Even in our busy schedules, we should create time for God. We become empty when we do not find Jesus in our daily work. Therefore, authentic service to Christ and our neighbours must not be separated from listening to God’s word. So, when we go to do the work of our master, let us not forget the master of the work. Firstly, God has called us to be with him, to be in his company, to listen to his words and to commune with him (cf. Mk. 3:14). This must take precedence over all other concerns as disciples of Christ. In view of this, Jesus tells Martha: “Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her” (Lk. 10:42). Martha did not have time to be with Jesus; she was busy cooking when Jesus wanted to give her words of eternal life. Secondly, God sends us out to serve others via preaching – by word and deed (cf. Mk. 3:14). Any misapplication of this core mandate or any apostolate that puts these two essential things in disequilibrium or in an unbalanced manner, is bound to fail in due time.
St. Paul understood the service of hospitality and so he teaches us in the second reading: “…and in my flesh I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the Church, of which I became a minister according to the divine office which was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now made manifest to his saints” (Col. 1:24-26). Notice that Paul calls himself “minister.” Etymologically, minister is the Latin term derived from the Greek, doulos, which means servant or slave. We need to be like servants in the practice of hospitality towards others. We should seek our neighbours’ well-being and show concern in all circumstances. So, when the Psalmist prayerfully asks the question: “Lord, who may abide in your tent?” (Ps. 15:1a), among other things, he answers thus: “one who does no wrong to a neighbour” (Ps. 15:3b).
It is observed that in our world today, many people want God’s blessings but are not ready to make the necessary effort to sacrifice especially on behalf of their neighbours. Abraham, St. Paul, Mary and Martha sacrificed their resources, that is, their time, homes, food, and their very lives, in order to obtain God’s favour and blessing. The art and act of hospitality is actually a service of sacrifice by which one gives what they are and what they have (oneself and one’s possessions). Given the hostile and insecure environment we all find ourselves in, one would admit that it is not easy to be hospitable, especially to strangers. While we encourage governments to better the lot of the governed, by creating efficient and incorruptible systems, reducing unemployment, and creating equal opportunities for all, let us also pray to God to help us choose the path of love by which we become hospitable to one another. Being receptive to God and others, may God visit us in a special way. Happy Sunday, and remember to learn: #The-Art-And-Act-Of-Hospitality#
