Hospitality!
Hospitality!
The one theme for this weekend is hospitality. The second theme could be a personality check. The first reading and the Gospel beautifully portray hospitality to God.
Andrei Rublev, the renowned Russian icon painter, is famous for his work on the ‘Old Testament Trinity’, depicting the three angels welcomed by Abraham (Genesis 18 – today’s first reading). This icon is also called ‘Welcome to the Stranger’. The table where they are seated has four sides. There are three seated figures; the fourth is an invitation to join them. Anyone praying with this icon for any length of time will feel that the invitation is somehow mutual: as you welcome the Divine Persons into your heart, they are inviting you to sit at the table with them. They are inviting you into the heart of God.
On a hot day, Abraham sat at the entrance. He might have been enjoying the breeze on that hot day. Suddenly, he saw the three men and recognized that they were the Lord. Some of the Fathers of the church and Eastern iconography suggest that the three figures may be the manifestation of the Trinity. In the reading, Abraham begged the visitors not to pass by, but to stay so that he could serve the Lord. Then he ran to the tent and asked Sarah to prepare food for them. They both prepared a delicious meal, and Abraham set this before the visitors. Both the ancient Jews and early Christians believed that the best way to demonstrate their devotion to God was through hospitality. In the book of Hebrews 13:1-2, we read, “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.”
After the meal, one of the mysterious visitors told Abraham, “I will return to you about this time next year, and Sarah will then have a son” (Genesis 18:10). If we continue reading, we can see that Sarah was listening and laughing. In Genesis 21, we read that God did what He promised, and they had a son named Isaac. In Romans 9, St. Paul discusses promises and free will. He quotes from the book of Genesis 18:10 to mention the promise of Isaac's birth. The visitors who announced that Sarah would bear a child prefigure the Annunciation made by the Archangel Gabriel to Mary. What is not possible from a human perspective can become reality through the power of God.
In the first reading, Sarah was mainly involved in preparing the food. We don’t see her outside the tent. Abraham was the one who spent time with visitors. In Luke’s Gospel 10:38-42, we see that Martha was engaged in serving, while Mary was seated at Jesus' feet. Martha honored God in work, and Mary through her single-minded devotion. Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, which means she surrendered herself and gave total attention. It is part of learning. We read in the Acts of the Apostles 22:3, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city. At the feet of Gamaliel, I was educated strictly in our ancestral law and was zealous for God, just as all of you are today.”
Two aspects of spirituality: first, doing something like Martha, and second, sitting next to and listening like Mary. Martha has become a symbol of action-oriented, responsible people who get the job done. Our world and our parish churches need such dynamic and generous men, women, boys, and girls who get the job done. At the same time, we must also adopt Mary into our lives. The key to the Christian life is SETTING PRIORITIES: Jesus Christ first, then everything else. Are you an active and busy personality type? There is nothing wrong; at the same time, find time every day to listen to God, your spouse, your kids, and your neighbors. Listening and quiet caring are essential for the success of pastoral life, family life, and every aspect of our lives. Human love begins at home, and it starts with listening. If you are a type of Mary, one who is contemplative, embrace some of Martha’s qualities.
Pay attention, God is passing by my/your home. Should we invite him? Our heart is the place where he needs to be welcomed. Mother Teresa often spoke about God appearing in disguise, as the poor and the needy. Once she was asked who she could serve the poor day after day. She answered that she spent time with Jesus in the morning, participated in the celebration of the Eucharist, and went out and saw the face of Jesus in them. We can see how beautifully Mother Theresa embodied the qualities of Martha and Mary. We don’t have to try to be Mother Teresa, but we can also embrace these qualities in our way. We need to give attention to seeing who is passing by us. Abraham paid attention, so he didn’t miss the Lord.