16th
Sunday in the Church’s time
Time C
Los Angeles, July 20th
/21st, 2013
1st
Reading: from
the Book of Genesis 18:1-10a
Psalm : 14(15)2-3,3-4,5
Reading: Letter of Saint Paul to the Colossians 1,24-28
Gospel: Saint Luke 10,38-42
This weekend, the liturgy invites us to reflect on a subject that is
important in the life of every person: to welcome and how to welcome.
To Welcome:
It’s interesting that in the first reading, Abraham receives three
unknown foreigners while in the Gospel, Martha and Mary take in a friend.
In both cases, it is God who comes to visit the tent of Abraham and the
house of Martha and Mary.
We all need to welcome others and to be welcomed.
If we are here today it’s because our parents decided to welcome us when
they learned that we were in our mother's womb.
If we are what we are it's because in our lives there were men and women
who wanted to welcome us with our qualities and defects.
Welcoming others is essential in the development of every person.
Welcoming others is a requirement to create stable relationships in the family,
in society, in our communities, and in the world.
The opposite of welcoming others is rejection, indifference, fear of
others, isolation, and separation.
Those who don’t want or don’t know how to welcome others are locking
themselves in their own world and, oftentimes, end up alone in their
selfishness.
We need to welcome others because, in doing so, God is present and comes
into our hearts and our homes.
How to welcome:
Abraham's attitude is complementary to
that of Martha and Mary.
To welcome others we must agree to open the door of our hearts, of our
homes, and sometimes even our wallets.
Welcoming others requires our time and availability. We can’t welcome
anyone if, above all, we are thinking of the psychological, social, or
financial rewards that the guest might bring to us.
Openness and not having to pay are what make guests feel welcome.
Abraham provides an excellent meal for his guests and offers them a good
resting place without knowing that they are carrying an immense gift of God for
him in his old age, a son.
Martha and Mary give a warm welcome to Jesus. One is preparing the meal; the other is
listening to his Words. They know that God’s presence in their home is a
blessing.
Welcoming others also involves listening to the other because we all
have something to learn from people. Through the word of others, whoever they
are, God sends important messages for our lives. One of the important aspects
of welcoming others is the capacity to listen. We should not rush around our
guest without taking the time to share with him or her a few words that will
help us move forward.
During summer vacations, we have the time to welcome others and to learn
how to give a warm welcome.
By receiving others, and by giving a warm welcome, God visits us and
brings unexpected gifts to us.
Let’s open our hearts, our minds, and our homes to welcome our brothers
and sisters. Let’s learn to listen and share with them what we have and what we
do.
Amen
Fr.
Germán