Hospitality and Charity

Hospitality and Charity

Pastor’s Column

SS Medford

16^thSunday in Ordinary Time

July 21, 2019

Johannes (Jan) Vermeer -
Christ in the House of Martha and Mary
  Google Art Project

This week we hear two exciting stories in scripture.  First, Abraham's encounter with three mysterious men and then Jesus relaxing with his friends Martha and Mary.  These stories highlight the need to be ready to meet the Lord in unexpected places. 

I have a friend who went on a “Midnight Run” {www.midnightrun.org}.  This ministry helps the homeless in and around NYC.  A group of midnight runners go out and bring food and supplies to those living on the streets.  It occurs at night.

He explained that this depth of charity and encounter brings many graces to the participants as they interact with people that they would not ordinarily encounter.  He also said he was sure that Christ was with them in a real way as they ministered that night-time.

Is that what happens to Abraham and Sarah in our first reading from Genesis?  The three mysterious men have been categorized as Angels by some theologians, and by the Holy Trinity by others.  Ultimately the result of the encounter is that Sarah becomes pregnant soon after that.  The fruits of simple hospitality offered and accepted by the strangers result in the gift of life.  Perhaps the wisdom of scripture here shows us not to make any assumptions or judgments about the strangers we may meet, each day.

In our Gospel, Jesus seemingly takes a break from the active minister and visits his friends Martha and Mary who are Lazarus' sisters.  Theologians teach that their house on the Mount of Olives was a place Jesus would frequent while in Jerusalem.

While Jesus is speaking with Mary, Martha is busying herself to provide some hospitality for their visitor. Jesus points out to Martha firmly that Mary is showing better Judgement by giving the "hospitality" of listening to him.  We must always give our full attention to our guests.  When we are patient, there will always be time for comfort later.  Jesus was crucified shortly after this visit. I  bet that the fraternal correction that Martha received from our Lord was quickly forgotten after His Passion.  She surely was blessed to have Jesus, God Incarnate, in her home relaxing and sharing.

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A heartfelt thank you to Chris Gueli and Anthony Szalkowski of New England Wood Works.  They provided the material and labor for our new portable confessional located in the Sacristy.  The Church teaches that the penitent and the confessor have a right to anonymity with a fixed grill between the penitent and the confessor and that confessions should be heard in a confessional (Canon 964.2).  This directive is now a reality here at Saint Sylvester’s in Medford.