“Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.
She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.” (Luke 10:38-39)

The major theme for this 16^th Sunday in the Ordinary Time focuses on the importance of hospitality in our Christian life. The word “hospitality” comes from the Latin word “hospes,” which means "host," "guest," or "stranger." Therefore, by association, the Latin word “hospital” means a guest-chamber, guest's lodging, an inn. Hospitality involves welcoming a guest, a visitor or a stranger and offering him food, shelter, and safety. It is the way people treat others, a cordial relationship between a guest and a host, wherein the host receives the guest with honor, respect and goodwill, providing food, comfort, entertainment and safety to the guest.

In the Old Testament, the Law of Moses often prescribes or orders the Israelites to provide great hospitality to strangers or foreigners, treating them with dignity and respect as mentioned in the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, Judges, Proverbs and Zechariah. This is because Moses and the Israelites recognize that they were also once strangers or foreigners in a foreign land.

In the New Testament, Christ expands the meaning of neighbor to include stranger, foreigner, visitor or guest, that he or she be treated with hospitality and help as we have heard on last Sunday’s Parable of the Good Samaritan. Thus, Pope St. John Paul II declares: "Only those who have opened their hearts to Christ can offer a hospitality that is never formal or superficial but identified by 'gentleness' and 'reverence'."

God does not want us holding a relationship of Transaction but Transformation. Therefore, Dynamic Christian disciples are those who (1) BELIEVE, (2) GROW, (3) SERVE, (4) LOVE and (5) LEAD others to Jesus. Today’s topic invites us to practice and show hospitality to our guests, strangers, visitors, to love God above all and to love our neighbors as ourselves to accomplish God’s will in our lives to glorify God.  

How can we help each other practice authentic hospitality by first listening to God in prayer and adoration, reading the Bible and reflection to respond and serve others to fulfill God’s will? 

Wishing everyone a blessed week in the Lord.