Opening the Door to God’s Presence!

Sunday, July 20, 2025

Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gn 18:1-10a; Col 1:24-28; Lk 10:38-42

The sixteenth Sunday invites us to reflect on hospitality as a theological and spiritual practice. 

The readings explain that for Christians, hospitality is more than mere social courtesy. It is about making space for God and, in God’s name, for our neighbors. Hence, the virtue of hospitality is about opening the door to God’s presence in us and amidst us. 

The three readings of the day highlight hospitality as a unique Christian virtue. 

The first reading is a beautiful reminder that hospitality is a virtue that God commanded Israelites to practice. It is not only that Abraham is hospitable to the three visitors (a foreshadowing of the Trinity!) but also that he begs them to accept the hospitality he offers. In offering food, water, rest, and honor to strangers, Abraham entertains God Himself. Abraham’s hospitality opens the door to divine blessing in the birth of Isaac. Abraham’s example is a reminder to the people of Israel that they are to be hospitable to strangers precisely because they were once strangers in a foreign land. 

In the second reading, Paul makes a beautiful revelation that God is hospitable to the Gentiles. Hence, the inclusive God is not just a God of Jews but a God of all. At the command of God, Paul considers himself an apostle to the Gentiles and fulfills his mission successfully. The God who chose the Israelites now extends the membership to all, regardless of any differences. Yes, God is hospitable and practices hospitality. Paul is the perfect witness to it. 

The Gospel is an example of Jesus seeking hospitality. Here comes the age-old problem of interpretation. More often than not, we look to blame Martha and praise Mary. That is what we think Jesus does too. But it is not. The corrective that Jesus offers is slightly nuanced but more profound. Jesus does not prefer Mary to Martha. Rather, Jesus wants Martha to understand her role as a host. Martha wanted Jesus to be her guest. But by being busy about and distracted by ‘many things,’ she did not make Jesus feel so. That is when he intervenes to check the worthiness of Martha’s original intention. If being a host requires attentiveness to the guest, Martha does not offer that, and that is what Jesus aims at correcting in her. Martha’s preoccupation with many other things makes Jesus feel ignored. In ignoring Jesus, Martha lets Jesus feel that she misses out on the pleasure of being a host and of enjoying her guest. In contrast, by listening to Jesus in rapt attention, Mary makes room for Jesus in her heart. While Mary offers Jesus the hospitality of presence, Martha lets such a privilege slip through her fingers. 

The readings of the day give at least three answers for why Christians should practice hospitality.

1. Because God is and has been hospitable to us. The Divine Providence helps us navigate the inhospitable world. 

2. Because God commands it. The needy are the invisible face of God in need of our care and attention.

3. Because the stranger requires it. Persons who lack basic amenities have a moral claim on us.

Hospitality towards the needy and strangers is not simply a duty but a virtue. Unlike a duty, virtue is its own reward. Hence, Christians are invited to practice hospitality not just for the good of needy humanity but also for our own good because we grow virtuous by practicing hospitality. 

The three strangers found the tent at Mamre. The Gentiles found their host in God. Jesus found a home in Bethany. 

The virtue of hospitality is not optional for Christians. It is a sacramental act by which we make an outward expression of an inward grace. 

Let us pray that we may change lives through our hospitable nature and gesture. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar