The Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C

Readings

Genesis 18: 1-10
Colossians 1: 24-28
Luke 10: 38-42

Theme: Hospitality should be accompanied by personal presence and attention

Our First Reading and the Gospel this Sunday paint two pictures of hospitality. The first picture from Genesis 18: 1-10 portrays Abraham as a very hospitable person to three men whom we may describe as strangers. He pays attention to them and he invites them to wash their feet (which is a symbol of care) and to have a quick meal at his home. Abraham’s wife Sarah stayed inside the tent and she prepared bread while a servant prepared a calf and Abraham set the meal before the three men. Abraham stood by them under the tree while they ate. Abraham entertained the Angels of God and they promised son by Abraham’s wife Sarah.
Sarah had gone without a child for a long time and here we are, with Abraham giving hospitality to strangers who are God’s representatives and this moment opens up an opportunity for the Couple to get a child. In this story we observe both hospitality and personal attention and presence of Abraham.

Personal attention and presence are very important in meaningful relationships. It is not enough in our family circles for a man just to buy food or dig it out and throw it into home for the wife to cook without that personal presence and attention.
Similarly, a wife should not just cook and put the food on table and disappear. Husband and wife must be present to each other and pay attention to one another. They must create a relationship which makes them be one in word thought and deed.
This point is brought out by Christ in today’s Gospel at his visit to the family of Martha and Mary.
While Martha looked at hospitality as providing something to eat Mary gave her presence and attention.
Martha received Jesus in her house and with all enthusiasm she strived to prepare a meal but then she gave little presence to the visitor. In fact Martha was asking Jesus for help that he allows her sister Mary to go and help in the serving and not just sit talking and listening to Jesus. Martha concentrated on serving food while Mary gave her presence and her attention to the visitor.
What Jesus says is interesting: “Mary has chosen the good portion, which shall not be taken away from her.” Relationships are built on several levels which should not be neglected. There must be sacrifices made in relationships to succeed. The level of preparing a meal and sharing it is crucial but it must be accompanied by personal presence and attention. There must be listening and internalizing the messages and then individuals build strong bonds which can make sacrifices.

So we can conclude with the sentiments of St. Paul in his letter to the Colossians in our Second Reading today. Paul rejoices in the sacrifices that he is making on behalf of the community – the Church. He struggles to make everybody mature in Christ. Listen to what St. Paul says: “Now I rejoice in my suffering for your sake and in my flesh, I complete what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the Church of which I became a minister.” You can feel the bond between Paul and the community or the Church.

So Hospitality, presence and attention require personal self-giving and personal sacrifice. Relationships should not entertain selfishness and selfish gratification.

We must offer ourselves for each other.
Msgr. Gerard Kalumba
Christ the King, Parish Kampala