Reading I: 2 Kings 4:8-11,14-16a
Psalm: 89
Reading II: Romans 6:3-4, 8-11
Gospel: Matthew 10:37-42
This Sunday’s readings are all about hospitality. The Hebrew Scripture describes the generous hospitality shown to the prophet
Elisha by the woman from Shunem and her husband who provided not only food but also a room for Elisha during his travels.
Then Matthew in his Gospel quotes Jesus saying: “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...will surely not lose his reward.”
There are many definitions of hospitality and many ways it can be expressed. It is basically friendliness and caring. It can range from providing food and shelter to listening to someone who is troubled.
It can range from helping provide clean water in places where people die from disease-infected water to offering a cup of tea to a friend.
Whatever form it takes, it involves setting aside one’s own interests
and focusing on the needs of another. That can be a challenge as we now live in such a fast-paced world. Surrounded by so many
needs, including our own legitimate needs, we can sometimes become overwhelmed. That is when we need to carve out some special time to be with the Lord.
We need to ask the Lord’s guidance regarding what He wants of us.
He may simply affirm the many ways we are already showing hospitality or He may call us to extend ourselves more. He may even ask us to put the persons in His hands if we are overextended.
We just need to open our hearts to listen deeply in silence to our Shepherd and follow His lead.
Spanish Translation of Reflection Above...
Hospitalidad
Las lecturas de este domingo tratan de la hospitalidad. La Escritura Hebrea describe la generosa hospitalidad mostrada al profeta
Eliseo por la mujer de Shunem y su esposo que no sólo le proporcionó comida sino también un espacio para Eliseo durante sus viajes.
Entonces Mateo en su Evangelio cita a Jesús diciendo: “El que te recibe me recibe a mí, y el que me recibe recibe al que me envió. Y el que da sólo una taza de agua fría a uno de estos pequeños ... seguramente no perderá su recompensa.”
Hay muchas definiciones de la hospitalidad y muchas maneras que se pueden expresar. Es básicamente simpatía y cariño. Puede variar desde proveer comida y refugio hasta escuchar a alguien que está preocupado. Puede ir desde ayudar a proporcionar agua limpia en lugares donde la gente muere de agua infectada por la enfermedad hasta ofrecer una taza de té a un amigo.
Sea cual sea la forma que adopte, implica apartar los propios intereses y centrándose en las necesidades de otro. Eso puede ser un desafío ya que ahora vivimos en un mundo tan acelerado. Rodeado de tantos Necesidades, incluyendo nuestras propias necesidades legítimas, a veces podemos ser abrumados. Es entonces cuando necesitamos tener un tiempo especial para estar con el Señor.
Necesitamos pedir la guía del Señor con respecto a lo que El quiere de nosotros. Puede simplemente afirmar las muchas maneras en que ya estamos mostrando hospitalidad o Él puede llamarnos para extendernos más. Incluso puede pedirnos que pongamos las personas en Sus manos si estamos excesivamente extendidos.
Sólo necesitamos abrir nuestros corazones para escuchar profundamente en silencio a nuestro Pastor y seguir Su ejemplo.
Hello Sr. Annette,
ReplyDeleteI share yet another “elevator” story based on my experiences in the personal care unit of the rehabilitation center where my mother resided for over 3 weeks recovering from injuries she sustained from a fall. I used the time spent waiting for the elevator to observe the daily life of the long-term residents, and on a particular Sunday I witnessed the expressions of hospitality you mention in your post: friendliness, caring, and focusing on the needs of another.
Mom was being discharged on Monday morning. To minimize the anticipated stress of that event, I decided to take home all her clothes and personal items on Sunday. That turned out to be a good idea because, just as at home, she managed to have every dresser drawer and the closet filled with clothing. It took four trips to the car to pack up all her belongings. Mom is quite the fashionista!
While making my first trip up to Mom’s floor, I noticed Sr. Norbert, SBS, circulating around the day room which was crowded with patients in wheel chairs. She moved from one person to another, laying one hand on the person’s shoulder and placing her other hand atop the hands of the resident. She held eye contact with each person and spoke to each of them at length. I could see their smiles shining through their eyes. Proof, indeed, that God’s goodness penetrates beyond perceived physical and mental limitations.
On my next trip, my attention was drawn to a woman who was very agitated and attempting to get out of the chair. She was hollering loudly; I could sense her frustration. By the time I came down with armful number two, the lady had quieted down. Sr. Norbert had given her a large sturdy drawing pad of paper and a marker, and the woman was contentedly engaged in doodling.
Sr. Norbert was leaving the same time I was making my way out with armful number three. We chatted as we walked out together. When I mentioned her compassion to the residents, she replied that she was tending to her brothers and sisters. She revealed that she herself was recovering from an illness which had her restricted for a time and she could better understand the limitations and needs of those to whom she now ministers.
I remained an observer. Sr. Norbert, however; through her hidden acts of kindness to “the little ones,” in this case the vulnerable frail elderly, offered the cup of refreshing water mentioned in today’s gospel. Ministering in the name of Jesus, I believe she offered ”Living Water “ that quenched the thirst in their souls for recognition of the Christ within them.
Still reflecting on Sr. Norbert’s ability to communicate with the residents, the elevator doors opened for my fourth and final trip to the car, and Sr. Joan stepped in with a list of patients on the rehabilitation floor to visit and pray with. I smiled knowing that the vision and mission of the Sisters continue in spite of a change of address. God is sprinkling His grace on the residents, staff and visitors through His dedicated daughters.
During my weeks of visiting mom, I came in contact with numerous people living in independent and assisted living buildings and I heard many positive comments of how the presence of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament has contributed to the friendliness, caring, and compassion of the community. Hospitality is very evident at Paul’s Run where the influence of the Sisters is making a difference as they reflect Christ’s love to others through their kindness and spiritual works.
Pat C., ASBS
Dear Pat,
DeleteThank you for the affirmation of our Sisters. Yes, the ministries continue wherever we are located. You and other Associates of the Sisters are also a part of this effort to bring the love of God to all people.