16th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Genesis 18:1–10a
Psalm 15:2–3, 3–4, 5
Colossians 1:24–28
Luke 10:38–42
“Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.” – Hebrews 13:2
This advice offered in the New Testament no doubt had Abraham’s encounter with the three strangers by the terebinth of Mamre in mind. When we open our hearts and lives to others, we experience something that puts us in touch with God. The Gospel account of Martha and Mary’s opening of their home to Jesus invites us to reflect on our own way of welcome.
It is clear in the Scriptures that making room for the stranger is central to the journey of salvation. Abraham’s openness to the three visitors provided him and his own family two significant benefits. The announcement of the birth of Isaac was affirmed in no uncertain terms, thus leading to the fulfillment of Abraham and Sarah’s longing for the son of the promise.
Abraham interceded on behalf of his nephew Lot for the salvation of the town where he lived. Although the destruction inevitably happened due to the lack of “righteous ones” in that place, nonetheless Lot and his daughters reached safety, due to the intervention of the angels Abraham had entertained.
When we encounter others, our responsibility is simply to receive them. We “do justice” by others when we make room for them. The promise given to us is that we will “live in the presence of the Lord.”
Mary chose to stay in the presence of Jesus, while Martha was “anxious and worried about many things.” Jesus approaches the “family dispute” by acknowledging the concern Martha shows for Him but also by allowing Mary to be true to her own way of welcome. “There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”
In our world today, we experience many opportunities to “welcome the stranger.” At the same time, we experience great division in our perspectives about how this is to be done. The dispute between rival approaches often becomes a great political battle. Enter into any conversation about “immigration” and there will be an immediate raising of the temperature and the emotional level of the “discussion.” When this happens, the meal is over, and the battle is already lost.
Martha brought Jesus into their home. Mary chose to listen to Him, while Martha continued to attend to the material expression of welcome (lots of food on the table). That was fine, until Martha decided that Mary should have been doing things her way and asked the Lord to weigh in on the matter. He was invited no longer to be a guest but to be a judge in a family quarrel.
To welcome another does require material support. Food, housing, employment and a way of living that can be sustainable are all necessary. But at the same time, we are called by the Gospel simply to see the persons in front of us.
Our tendency to reduce things to finances and to material needs, at times considered to be “taken” from others more deserving, can cause us to be blind to the one who might be an “angel” before us, that is, a messenger of God whose job is to make known to us the path of salvation.
The Gospel calls us first to make room for every human being, to be concerned for the welfare of those who are most in need. Care for the poor and offering welcome to those who have come to the village where we live, uninvited or not, are the hallmark of a true response to the Gospel.
We must welcome infants into our world. We must care for those who experience their pregnancies as difficulties. We must welcome and care for children and families who have nowhere else to go due to conditions they have left behind.
The solution will not come from political debates but from practical and personal welcome that is willing to listen to those who sit in front of us hoping for a meal. This is truly the “better part” that is offered to us.
Father Timothy M. Hayes is pastor of Chillicothe St. Mary and St. Peter; and Waverly, St. Mary, Queen of the Missions.