Deacon Tom Writes,
“Hospitality Plus”
Abraham knew how to entertain. He extended a humble
greeting and generous hospitality to the three travelers who passed his tent in
the heat of the day. He provided them with water – such a necessity in the heat
of the midday sun in. He instructed Sarah to bake some bread while he had a
choice steer prepared for a meal. What a great host Abraham was! This is the sort
of treatment we reserve for our closest friends. This is the way God treats us,
his children.
This reading from the book of Genesis caused me to
reflect on the hospitality of Jesus. In grounding the Eucharistic celebration
in the context of a public banquet to which everyone is invited, Christ offers
us hospitality not only for this life, but also for the life to come. Christ is
our nourishment in the Eucharist banquet shared as though we are one big family
invited to center our thoughts and actions on him and not be “anxious and worried about many things”
as Martha was in our gospel. We all know that this is much more difficult to do
than it sounds, don’t we? Our minds are constantly full of the needs of the
day… the bills to pay, the stress at work and at home, sick parents or
children, conflicting schedules… there are so many things to do and so many
concerns weighing heavily on our minds that it is difficult to be aware of the
Spiritual realities taking place before us at Mass. And yet, this is the best
possible way for us to find some relief from the worries and anxieties that we
face.
When we respond to the hospitality Jesus offers us,
we gain new insight into the reality around us. This is why I believe that Paul
can say, “rejoice in my sufferings for
your sake”. Paul was able to connect with, “the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past” because he
had experienced Jesus’ bountiful hospitality that eventually led him into an
intimate relationship with Christ that enabled him to see beyond his physical pain
and suffering.
As we gather for picnics and celebrations this
summer, as we extend hospitality to our family, friends and neighbors, let us
be mindful of the open invitation we have to break bread together with our
friends and neighbors every time we go to Mass where Jesus has set a place for
us at his Table and waits for us to share our fears, worries, and struggles
with him.
Enjoy the Day!
Deacon Tom
Image Credit: The Hospitality of Abraham - basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna,
Italy on revsshaffer. com
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