16th Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 18, 2010

Gen 18, 1-10
Col 1, 24-28
Lk 10, 38-42

In the Old Testament, guests were highly appreciated, their welfare guaranteed. Thus when three of the Lord’s messengers appeared to Abraham, the patriarch “ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them, and bowing to the ground, he said, ‘Sir, if I may ask this favor, please do not go on past your servant. Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree. Now that you have come this close to your servant, let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves. Afterwards, you may go on your way.” (Genesis 18:1-4)

And their safety as well as dignity were held sacred as Lot, Abraham’s nephew, did in the succeeding chapter. (Genesis 19:1-12) But that again is another story.

Following the Chosen People’s high regard for guests, Martha invited Jesus to her house. Like a true daughter of Israel she did all that was necessary and all that was within her means to make the guest feel welcome.

Mary, her sister, took a different approach to make the Lord feel at home. She sat down at his feet – all ears and eyes at the divine guest. She was just there for him, listening to him and being with him as a dear friend. Such was her way of making Jesus feel truly welcomed.

Despite the protest made by Martha, and even if action on his behalf is needed as well as appreciated, Jesus declared Mary to have “chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.” (Luke 10:42)

One man who held guests in high esteem and proved to be an excellent host was Fr. Joe Bates, SVD even if some still remember him to be sometimes fierce like Abraham could be. This was true when it comes to the idea of the essence of being a missionary; Fr. Bates held to the image of a religious missionary as hard-working (not afraid of manual labor!) and truly a man of prayer. Anyone who veered from his standards got sharply criticized. Fr. Bates could be brutally forthright in his speech.

Yet, even if his criticisms evoked fear among some confreres, Fr. Bates was much appreciated as a host. To his visitors he gave a sincere welcome, showed them the rooms they would be staying in, the dining hall where they would be eating and the chapel to which they were cordially invited to pray with him. Afterwards, to his visitors he loved to say, “Gentlemen, this is your house. Feel at home!”

Truly, one can say, hospitality indicates a rich humanity. And an awe-inspiring humanity givers a glimpse to divinity.

Fr. Flor Lagura, SVD
Crestview, Florida, USA
The Word in Other Words