2Kgs 4:8-11,14-16
Rom. 6:3-4,8-11
Matt. 10:37-42
THE CHRISTIAN HOSPITALITY
Barbara De Angelis once said: “Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them; and they bless you, the giver.” Thus, Jesus’ teaching that anyone who welcomes a prophet, a just man or a disciple will not go unrewarded is illustrated by the hospitality offered to the prophet Elisha by the Shunemite woman and its consequent reward. Indeed, anyone who shows love, care and concern to another, does so to Jesus himself (cf. Matt. 25:40). And God will not be so unjust as to forget the good deed done.
It is important therefore to reconsider how we live our lives as Christians. For through baptism, we share in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In him we live for God (second reading). And this newness of life has its own requirements. It demands service to others, taking up one's cross and letting go everything, including one's family relations and oneself, for the sake of Christ and the Gospel. In other words, commitment to Christ takes precedence over everything else, as we are told in today's gospel reading.
Equally important is the way we accept or relate with those who preach the Word of God to us. For instance, the way we relate to our priests. Do we see them as men of God? Do we accept them as we would accept Jesus himself since they are his representatives among us? What about those who do us good, or sacrifice their time, talents, resources and energy in various ways to lead us in prayer, instruct us in the faith? Do we appreciate our catechists, our leaders or our pastors? Do we strive to make things easier for them like the Shunemite woman or we try to make life more difficult for them?
Moreover, as priests and leaders, how do we treat our catechists, Mass servers, choir masters, and all those who help us in diverse ways? Do we often take them for granted and take advantage of them or we show concern for their wellbeing? Do we often show them appreciation and gratefulness? Let us all remember, any good deed done with a good heart will not go unnoticed by God. As John Holmes said “There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” May our heavenly Father help us to have generous heart towards others just as he has generous heart towards us. Amen.
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