Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today we hear of those who welcomed the Lord. We hear of Abraham, who would not let the three strangers pass by, but who asked them to stay and eat with him. How interesting that in all the other times the Lord manifests Himself in a visible way in the Old Testament, it is through a single angel, or person, or even plant (i.e. the burning bush). Yet, the Lord manifests His Presence here (though in a hidden way) in the form of three travellers. Abraham welcomes the Lord, and in this welcome, hears the joyful news of the Lord’s promise that within the year, he would be receiving a son into his arms.
In the Gospel, Martha too sees the Lord enter her village, and before anyone else can, she makes sure to be the first to welcome Jesus into her home. She then works hard to prepare a meal for Jesus (and all those disciples who come along too). Such kindness is a sign of God’s grace, and does not go without reward. Yet, in this Gospel we learn that there is even more to welcoming the Lord. Mary, the sister of Martha, sits at the feet of Christ and listens to His words. She welcomes the Lord not only into her home, but into her heart. She gives the Lord her time, her attention, her reverence.
Today, let us ask the Lord for this grace: like Abraham and Martha to be on the look out for the Lord, in whatever mysterious way He may choose to come to us, so that we may welcome Him and serve Him. And even more, let us ask the Lord that like Mary, the sister of Martha, we may listen to the Lord’s word, spoken from the depths of His heart, and that we may let that word find welcome in our own heart. Let us joyfully receive Christ’s words, that He speaks to us so that we may share in His joy.