The First Reading and the Gospel today (the Sixteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time) speaks of hospitality:
Mary and Martha’s hospitality to their beloved friend, Jesus; and Abram’s welcome to three strangers (a
visitation by God). The custom in more “simple” societies was one of exaggerated care for any
visitor—those known and those not known. This may be so because we all have been strangers in a
strange land, and we know how difficult it is to be “new” somewhere; or maybe because of the ancient
belief that the visitor may be God or Jesus in the form of other persons.
The idea of a visitation by God or His messengers is the archetypal basis of many old stories (remember
“Beauty and the Beast?) and even in many of our own contemporary “urban legends.” The point is: we
have been told that on Judgment Day we will be asked if we fed Jesus, clothed him, and visited him when
he was sick or imprisoned. We know all should welcome and receive the living GodGod Himself, or
the God in all of us.
The ideal of hospitality is a great part of our St. Aidan Parish—people talk about how welcoming our
parish is for visitors—many times they say so to Fr. Kevin while exiting the church. Fr. Rick Hartmann (a
retired priest who lives at the Retirement Village) always used to say at the final blessing and dismissal:
“There are no strangers in the house of God.” Every week we gather together to share our stories, to share
a meal, and when we are sent we are reminded of this by the Scripture readings today.
In the Gospel Jesus tells us that the better part of hospitality is more than the service we are to give to the
body of a person, it is about paying attention to that person him/herself. Yes, one feeds the body, but then
one is most hospitable by listening. This is an acknowledgment of the divine within all of us. At mass,
even before we eat (receiving Jesus in us), we listen to God’s Word, inviting God into our hearts and
minds.
Taking this idea of God’s presence in us a step farther would mean we must extend that
acknowledgement—to respect, accept and understand that God’s presence is in all things. Hospitality and
service give way to stewardship and care, guardianship and responsibility. We must remember that in all
persons God is present; and we may be judged on how we respond. We may not always recognize God in
the “every day” of our lives; and that is our challenge as Disciples: to be hospitable to all that God puts in
our path. We are called to respond in hospitalitywith attention and respect, with love and mercyto the
presence of God in everyone and in all things. All Are Welcome!
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
Mary and Martha’s hospitality to their beloved friend, Jesus; and Abram’s welcome to three strangers (a
visitation by God). The custom in more “simple” societies was one of exaggerated care for any
visitor—those known and those not known. This may be so because we all have been strangers in a
strange land, and we know how difficult it is to be “new” somewhere; or maybe because of the ancient
belief that the visitor may be God or Jesus in the form of other persons.
The idea of a visitation by God or His messengers is the archetypal basis of many old stories (remember
“Beauty and the Beast?) and even in many of our own contemporary “urban legends.” The point is: we
have been told that on Judgment Day we will be asked if we fed Jesus, clothed him, and visited him when
he was sick or imprisoned. We know all should welcome and receive the living GodGod Himself, or
the God in all of us.
The ideal of hospitality is a great part of our St. Aidan Parish—people talk about how welcoming our
parish is for visitors—many times they say so to Fr. Kevin while exiting the church. Fr. Rick Hartmann (a
retired priest who lives at the Retirement Village) always used to say at the final blessing and dismissal:
“There are no strangers in the house of God.” Every week we gather together to share our stories, to share
a meal, and when we are sent we are reminded of this by the Scripture readings today.
In the Gospel Jesus tells us that the better part of hospitality is more than the service we are to give to the
body of a person, it is about paying attention to that person him/herself. Yes, one feeds the body, but then
one is most hospitable by listening. This is an acknowledgment of the divine within all of us. At mass,
even before we eat (receiving Jesus in us), we listen to God’s Word, inviting God into our hearts and
minds.
Taking this idea of God’s presence in us a step farther would mean we must extend that
acknowledgement—to respect, accept and understand that God’s presence is in all things. Hospitality and
service give way to stewardship and care, guardianship and responsibility. We must remember that in all
persons God is present; and we may be judged on how we respond. We may not always recognize God in
the “every day” of our lives; and that is our challenge as Disciples: to be hospitable to all that God puts in
our path. We are called to respond in hospitalitywith attention and respect, with love and mercyto the
presence of God in everyone and in all things. All Are Welcome!
Keep singing!
Elizabeth Dyc
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