The "Hospitality of God," the Eucharist, and the Christian Life, the Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time–Year C

My Sisters and Brothers:

   

The readings this Sunday have something to teach us about how people of faith can practice “Godly hospitality.” In today’s first reading we hear that Abraham offered hospitality to three travelers who passed by as he was resting by a tree (see Genesis 18:1-10a). The gospel recounts a moment when Jesus went to the home of his friends Martha and Mary and there was received with great hospitality and respect (see Luke 10:38-42). This has given me much to contemplate! Surely these Biblical figures did what they did because they completely desired to imitate the very “hospitality of God.”  Whether we ourselves are hospitable in grand or small ways, I believe we must strive to show the same “Godly hospitality” as they did by the way we receive others into our lives! 

As I thought about this idea of the “hospitality of God,” the first word to come to my mind was “Eucharist.” Isn’t it true that from a Roman Catholic perspective, there isn’t a better place on earth to experience the “hospitality of God” than during the celebration of the Holy Mass! We believe when we gather as a community for this liturgy, we are actually “guests” of our Divine host! Gathered together in church, we have been invited through the doors and given benches upon which to rest; the Good News is shared with us, and we are invited to the Lord’s Table (i.e., the altar) where we share in the gift of the Eucharist, the Heavenly Feast. In the liturgy of the Mass, “the work of God” is accomplished right in our midst, and this inspires and strengthens us to go forth from the celebration and to invite others to experience the same. This “hospitality of God” demands our emulation!

 

As I further contemplated this idea of the “hospitality of God,” and it’s emulation in our day-to-day lives, I recalled lessons taught to me during my first year of religious life, when I was young Franciscan novice. My classmates and I were taught that “hospitality has always been an essential hallmark of the Franciscan Order.” Actually, more than just “taught,” this principle was “driven home” to us by both Friar Romuald, our Novice Master, and by the older friars with whom we lived. There was no doubt, by the way our many visitors were treated, they embraced this Franciscan principle of hospitality with both enthusiasm and dedication. Our friary was the constant recipient of guests from near and far, and all were treated exactly as a sign at the entrance to the friary with a Polish proverb that read: "Gość w domu Bóg w domu!," translated “A Guest in the House is God in the House!” For the many years that I have now been a Franciscan friar, I have seen this value of hospitality put in to practice by the friars with whom I have lived, and by those who have received me in their friaries in diverse places throughout the world (from throughout the United States, to West Africa, to various places in Europe and throughout Central America). I have been blessed. 

But to the point, isn’t hospitality an essential hallmark of the Christian life in general? It can’t be just Franciscans who claim the “hallmark of hospitably,” but rather can’t it be said it’s required of all people of faith? And again, and as Roman Catholics, might we say that any expression of our “Godly hospitality” is truly an extension and emulation of what we celebrate together in the Holy Mass? As people of faith, and as beneficiaries of the Sacred Liturgy, I believe we have experienced the “hospitality of God,” and this great gift must inspire us to action on behalf of others!

Abraham’s hospitality was great; he fed his visitors, provided them with a place to rest, and treated them as if they were his own friends. Martha busied herself in the kitchen, probably preparing a meal and doing what most people do when they desire to entertain guests well. Mary remained seated at the feet of Jesus, and gave him great attention as she listened to his words and what he had to say. I believe each of them in their own way truly imitated the very “hospitality of God.”

My friends, as Eucharistic people who desire to emulate the very “work of God,” may we practice “Godly hospitality” toward all who come our way! Let's encourage each other with this teaching! 

Praise God!  Friar Timothy

 

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