Friends, today we are celebrating the sixteenth Sunday of ordinary time year c. Today, Our Mother Church reminds us of the importance of hospitality. It is a Christian virtue and our duty towards others. She also reminds us of the need to pay attention to Christ, our Guest. Most importantly, we are advised not to pay more attention to material things than to spiritual things. The readings of today highlight important themes such as hospitality, service, contemplation, and enduring hardships. Through the stories of Abraham, Sarah, Martha, Mary, and Paul, we learn valuable lessons on how to live out our faith in everyday life. Lord, help us to be hospitable like Abraham, serve like Martha, and listen like Mary. Give us strength in hardships and guide us with your wisdom. May we always find joy in your presence.
Friends, in the first reading, Abraham displayed his hospitality by receiving and welcoming strangers into his house. Not only did he welcome them under his roof, but he also took extreme care of their material needs. He equally paid attention to their message and instruction. Hence, through his hospitality, he expressed his spirituality. For this, God decided to reward and bless his household. Sarah, on the other hand, might have thought the promise of a child was just a funny story. But Abraham believed his guests were special. These three men are often seen as a representation of the Trinity, showing that Abraham’s hospitality was not in vain. Brothers and sisters, this story reminds us of the importance of being hospitable. Like Abraham, we should be willing to offer our best to others. By doing so, we show respect, kindness, and love of God.
Friends, in our second reading, Paul talks about rejoicing in his sufferings. This teaches us that enduring hardships can strengthen our faith. We see similar themes in the first reading and the Gospel. These stories show different forms of hardship, such as infertility and frustration with others. In Genesis, Sarah faces the hardship of infertility. She struggles to believe the promise of a child because it seems impossible. Yet, through this hardship, Abraham and Sarah learn to trust in God’s promises. Their faith is tested, but it also grows stronger. Paul’s message, reminds us that hardships are a part of life. Whether it is physical suffering, emotional pain, or everyday frustrations, these challenges can help us grow in faith. By trusting in God and focusing on what is important, we can find joy even in difficult times.
Friends, today’s gospel presents us with a challenge. This challenge lies in Jesus’ response to Martha; “You worry about so many things, and yet, few are needed. Mary has chosen the better part, and it will not be taken from her.” There is a strong tendency to think that Christ was against taking care of the material needs of our guests. However, it is simply a call to set our priorities right. An essential part of hospitality is paying attention to people. At times, what people need from us are not just material things but our attention. Today, it is obvious that most Christians have misplaced their priorities in life. Many of us are so distracted today by too many social and material activities that we hardly have time for any spiritual reflection. For instance, in some of our families, we pay attention to every ordinary issue and need. However, we pay little or no attention to the spiritual growth of the members of our families. We have time for social activities but little or no time for praying together or studying the word of God together. Brothers and sisters, we need to cement our relationship with Christ by sitting close to him as a family, and by paying attention to what he has to say to us. Christ needs our attention because he has something new to teach us every day. He wants to spend some quality time with us each day. Brothers and sisters, we must not allow anything to prevent us from welcoming him or taking away our attention from his presence. He wants us to live in his presence all the time. The Lord be with you …may the Almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I wish you a happy Sunday and a joyful new week ahead of you.
