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FROM THE PASTOR'S DESK…… JULY 18, 2004
Dear Fellow Parishioners,
There is a national motel chain whose motto is: "We'll Leave The Light On For You!" Perhaps you have listened to their commercials which always end with this promise. Leaving a light on for someone is a universal sign of welcome and hospitality.
In today's first scripture reading from Genesis on this 16th Sunday in Ordinary Time, we have an example of Old Testament hospitality. The Jewish Patriarch, Abraham, welcomes three strangers into his home and gives them a respite from the day's heat and their tiresome journey as well as feeding them. Abraham considers it a great favor that these three men accept his invitation of hospitality and is subsequently rewarded for his generosity by receiving a son in his old age. The scripture writer prefaces this incident by telling us that God appeared to Abraham as a result of this act of hospitality. (See Genesis 18: 1-10)
The writer of the New Testament Letter To The Hebrews exhorts us by saying: "DO NOT NEGLECT TO SHOW HOSPITALITY, FOR BY THAT MEANS SOME HAVE ENTERTAINED ANGELS WITHOUT KNOWING IT." (See Hebrews 13: 2)
In today's Gospel we have another example of hospitality. St. Luke tells us that Mary showed hospitality to Jesus when He came for a visit to her home by keeping Him company and listening to Him. Her sister, Martha, was upset with Mary's style of hospitality which put more importance on spending time with their special guest than putting on a big meal. Jesus lovingly chided Martha about her irritation and pointed out that as important as having a good meal was even more important was His need to have someone with whom to talk. (See Luke 10: 38-42)
How often have you and I made Martha's mistake lately of thinking that it's how much we do for others that really counts instead of just being there for others. In our hustle-bustle world of today, it's easy to make that mistake. Let's take Jesus' admonition to heart this week and give priority to what is really important in our relationships with others.
Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Raymond Tintle, OFM
Pastor
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