Date: Sunday, July 17, 2016
The word “hospitality” comes from a Latin word meaning both “guest” and “host”. We have two beautiful examples of hospitality in our readings today. In the Book of Genesis three mysterious strangers call upon Abraham & Sarah. (Hospitality is an essential biblical virtue in a hostile desert environment.) Abraham responds with directives to Sarah to begin baking. He chooses a young steer and orders the servants to roast it and then Abraham personally waits on the strangers. It is from this passage that we have the saying: “entertaining angels unaware.” The visitors (treated as guests) are messengers from God who assure Abraham that Sarah will soon be with child and birth a son before they return the next year. In the Gospel according to St. Luke, Martha and Mary welcome Jesus and his disciples into their home. Martha is busy with and worried about details of hospitality. Becoming irritated, she asks Jesus to send Mary into the kitchen to help her. Jesus speaks firmly with Martha that Mary, by seating herself and listening to him, has made the better choice and shall not be deprived of it. St. Augustine has observed that we are more or less like Martha wishing to be more like Mary. We have WYD pilgrims at Mass who will soon enjoy the hospitality of Polish people -- who will be busy like Martha welcoming a throng of young adults from around the world. But when the international pilgrims and Poles assemble to greet Pope Francis they will become more like Mary -- listening to the Holy Father proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have a baptism today. Parents are masters of hospitality providing a loving and caring home for their child. Practical concerns of feeding, changing diapers and bathing are high on the priority list. But also we cannot forget the reciprocal eye contact, the smiles and gentle touches that communicate love and convey a sense of belonging. Last Monday was the feast of St. Benedict. He is the founder of Western Monasticism. Hospitality is a key virtue in the monastery. St. Benedict encourages the monks to always: “listen and attend with the ear of the heart.”