16TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Genesis 18:1-10

Psalm 15

Colossians 1:24-28

Luke 10:38-42

PRAYER AND ACTION

Today’s readings invite us to take a fresh look at hospitality and how to combine prayer and action in our daily life. In the first reading, Abraham welcomed and offered hospitality to three unknown men in his tent. These men turned to be messengers of God, and Abraham’s generosity turned to be a blessing to him and to his barren wife Sarah. This passage can be summed up in the words of Hebrews 13:2: “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” 

The Gospel reading offers another story of hospitality. Martha and Mary received in their house at Bethany Jesus and his disciples as they were on their way to Jerusalem. At the beginning, both put Jesus at the centre of their attention but in different ways: Martha in serving the immediate needs of the guests, while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet listening to him. The problem arose when Martha complained to Jesus that she had been left alone to do the serving all by herself. By saying that Martha was worrying too much about serving, Jesus did not mean to undermine her serving, nor to hail contemplative life over active life. He wanted to point out that Mary had chosen the better part that no one could ever take from her. 

Most often we act like Martha. Many of us are lost in sterile activism on a daily basis without knowing what must be our priority in life. We want to do it all and be excellent in many areas. But we forget our spiritual health, our closeness with God. We run all day and end up tired so much so that we are unable even to pray. We become easily frustrated. Even during liturgical celebrations, we become much distracted and are in a hurry to get out as if somebody is chasing us out of the church. 

Like Abraham and Martha, we must show concern and hospitality to those who come to us. Nevertheless, like Mary, we must always find time to sit at the Lord’s feet, listen to him and speak to him in prayer on a daily basis. By so doing, we will become true ministers at the service of others and get strength to bear gladly the difficulties and suffering we meet like St Paul in the second reading. May the Lord bless and keep all of us. Amen