13th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Over and over again in the Old Testament we read about the importance of hospitality. Abraham was the model of a generous host when he invited the Lord and two angels home for dinner. In Genesis 18:1-10 we read that he washed their feet, gave them the best seats in his tent and had a feast prepared for them; he did all this even though he did not know who or what they were. Another great Biblical story about hospitality is found in 1 Kings 17:7-24 when a poor widow gives Elijah the last of her flour and oil. The Lord rewarded her with a jar of flour that never became empty and a jug of oil that never ran dry. And in today’s first reading from 2 Kings 4, we hear about a woman from Shunem who offered Elisha hospitality. In return for her graciousness Elisha promised her a son.

Hospitality is one of the greatest virtues of the Bible. The eminent twentieth century scripture scholar William Barclay observed that: “If a man is a true man of God, to receive him is to receive the God who sent him.” Jesus carries this virtue into New Testament duty in today’s Gospel from Matthew 10:40-42, “whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because the little one is a disciple--amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward."

Today the Hospitaller Order of St John of God continues the practice of hospitality throughout the world. They understand hospitality as “A heart that sees where love [is] needed and acts accordingly.” They allow “the heart to command.” The virtue of hospitality is recognizing the presence of God in other people and nourishing that presence. We cannot all be prophets, and preach and proclaim the word of God, but we can all practice the simple virtue of hospitality. By practicing hospitality each of us can bring the Kingdom of God into our hearts, homes, communities and the world.

On Tuesday, we celebrate Independence Day. As we enter into the festivities with picnics, parades and fireworks please remember to give thanks for the freedom we celebrate and to pray for our religious and political leaders, to pray for Christians who are persecuted in other countries and to pray that the right of universal religious freedom is provided everywhere for all people.

Gracious and loving God, 

 let your Spirit be with us today. 

 Hear our prayers 

 and increase in us the will to follow your Son Jesus. 

 Help us to draw on the resources of our faith 

 as we use the opportunities of our democracy 

 to shape a society more respectful of the life, dignity, 

 and rights of the human person, 

especially the poor and vulnerable. 

 We ask this through Jesus Christ, your Son, 

 who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, 

 one God forever and ever.

Amen.