SHOWING HOSPITALITY TO ALL

HOMILY FOR THE 16^TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME, YEAR C

Rev. Ezekoka Peter Onyekachi

 

It is only when you become a visitor in a distant land or even in another home, and no hospitality was shown to you that you can understand the need of showing hospitality. Today’s reading presents to us the culture of showing hospitality. It is a culture that contributes in making us humans. Readiness to show hospitality is a sign of service to our neighbors. But hospitality has to be merged with being at the feet of Jesus, listening to and obeying his words.

In the First Reading (Gen. 18:1-10a), Abraham is presented as a perfect example of hospitality to visitors. The very first verse made it clear that the encounter between Abraham and the three men was actually a theophanic event. It was Yahweh that indeed came to Abraham in the human forms of three men. This event tells us the nearness and the unanimity of God. Abraham had the gift of recognizing them to be God. Hence, he addressed them with the title: my Lord. One can imagine why he did not address them in the plural (as Lords) but in the singular (my Lord). This is indeed a prefiguration of the union of God that would be born in the incarnation and ministry of Jesus the Christ, where humanity became aware that God is three-in-one (the mystery of the Trinity). Abraham had this inspiration and had to address them in the singular. Another point to note is the commanding silence of these three men and the singularity of their voice as they spoke to Abraham. They were addressed as one and spoke as one. Abraham pleaded for a slight demonstration of hospitality and acted more. He pleaded that they wait so that a little water be brought for washing their feet and that they might rest before continuing. But when they agreed, he went an extra mile to prepare a fine meal and cakes. He even killed a calf for their sake. They never rejected this gesture, but instead released words of blessing to Abraham that the wife shall have a son.

We need the spiritual eyes to recognize God at the various events and happenings of our lives, but the easiest way to recognize is to assist and care for other human beings in their many points of need. We need to learn also how to go an extra mile in the hospitality we show to others. Our culture has our customary ways of welcoming visitors. Do you remain on that way, or do you go an extra mile to offer that which even you hold dear. A story is told of a man who was walking down the Street and met a woman with her kid hopelessly sitting on the pavement beside the road, for they were homeless. He had listened to a sermon about “carrying the cross of Christ” and had seen this opportunity as a way to carry his own cross. He then begged the woman to come and spend the night in his room. The woman agreed and followed him with her little girl. The man took them to the room, gave them the keys and walked away. This man had a terminal sickness linked with the lungs that would allow him few hours before he dies. So he had thought the lives of these people to be useful more than his. He went and spent the night on that pavement beside the road. This worsened his sickness as it landed him at the hospital where he died. But after few minutes the doctors had confirmed him dead, he became alive again with all those illnesses cured. He narrated that he heard a voice that told him: because you have shown love and hospitality, go back and show more. This marveled the doctors and they believed in God. He went an extra mile to give up his apartment for strangers he never knew.

The Gospel (Luke 10:38-42) presents to us the issue of hospitality and added a very important element which is indispensable as much as our care and love is prompted by our love for God. As Mary showed hospitality by listening to the words of Jesus, Martha tried showing hers by running around in service. They showed hospitality as their temperaments disposed them. The problem was that Christ needed someone to talk to, as he was on his way to Jerusalem where he will be brutally dealt with. He needed to express his desire, speak to people about what await him and get some consolation from them too. Martha was innocent of Jesus’ needs at that time. She was doing that which in her mind needed to have been done. Hence, as Martha was doing a good thing by showing hospitality, Mary was doing a better thing by listening to Jesus. Remember, Christ never disregarded the action of Martha who was worried about service. He only commended Mary for making a choice of a better part. This means that as Martha did the good, Mary did the better. This tells us that our hospitality must be merged with going to Jesus to listen to his words. Our righteousness must exceed that of those who do not believe in God. The atheist can be hospitable but they are not prompted by the commandments of God. That is where we must differentiate ourselves from them.

We must go to Church, listen to God who speaks to us, and go on proclaiming Him with our actions of care to others. Some people believe that ‘uka di n’obi’ (worship lies in the heart), and for that reason do not attend worship. They stay in their homes and tell you that they are better Christians, and even make mockery of those that go to Church. Yes, it is good to be a practicing Christian, but never relegate the importance of listening to Jesus as He speaks to us in our churches. Hospitality has great advantages for our lives here on earth and with God. Whatsoever we do to the least of God’s brethren, we do it unto God. Our world needs this spirit of hospitality. This is a world where social class influences the way we welcome others. The rich find it disgusting to welcome the poor, as the poor find it intimidating to welcome the rich; to give an instance. There is high class inequality in our nation. Let us figure out ourselves how best we can show hospitality to the nearest person and pray God to assist and bless us as we mature in this virtue.

We must pray for the virtues of endurance and perfect love to assist us become all inclusive in the hospitality we offer. Endurance helps us to endure all sufferings that may come our way as we practice this, so that we can we rejoice with St. Paul in suffering for Christ and filling up that which is lacking in the body of Christ, the Church (Col. 1:24-28). We pray to try our best to be hospitable. We pray too to receive hospitality from other people. We also strongly pray that our hospitality will never lead to our downfall, but will bring us blessings just as Abraham. Ka ihe oma anyi ghara igbu anyi. This is my prayer as I wish us a blessed week ahead. God bless you.