Pastor's Letter 20230702 - 02 July 2023 - Hospitality and Crosses

Father Michael · July 1, 2023

July 2^nd, 2023

13^th Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Pick up your cross, and follow Me”

A Message from Father ^†Michael

Today’s Theme: “Hospitality and Crosses”

Reflections on Today’s Scripture

(2 Kings 4:8-16) Through hospitality, the wonders of salvation can be experienced by all believers. Freely and generously offered, it never goes unanswered.

Oral tradition has preserved the Old Testament activities of Elijah and Elisha, providing us with lively illustrations of how God cared for His people in times of personal need and political crises. In the story of the woman of Shunem, we find vivid expression of the Gospel, where Jesus said: “…he who welcomes you, welcomes Me…whoever receives a prophet, because he is a prophet, will receive a prophet’s reward….” (Matthew 10:40-41.)

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(Romans 6:3-11) In an atmosphere of receptivity, the Good News of Christ’s death and resurrection will find a home. To be fully vibrant, life in Christ demands daily dying to self.

^†Paul introduces “sanctification through baptism” for the first time in his letter to the Romans, as an explanation of what kind of behavior—moral response—is required to witness to the fact of a believer’s justification by God.

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(Matthew 11:25-30) A hand held out in welcome, a cup of water shared in love—these are the signs of a heart open to the Lord’s words and ways. Belonging to Christ does not negate all other relationships; rather, Christian commitment makes all other relationships holier, and happier.

All late-first-century Christians, both Jewish and Gentile, were acutely aware of the rigors of their belief in Christ—ostracization, persecution and even death. The way of Jesus became “The Way” of those who would be His disciples. Those who continue Jesus’ work, in faith and service, also share His death, and ultimately, His glory.

Hospitality

One of the nicest experiences we can enjoy is to meet an open, friendly, warm and hospitable person. Hospitality is a hallmark of a true follower of Christ.

When, at long last, winter gives over to spring, people draw back their curtains, and open their windows, to allow fresh air, sunlight and warmth to pour into their homes. In the presence of such wonder, the reality of “real life” can present itself, say, in the presence of a homeless person. Then, it is not uncommon for curtains to be drawn and doors closed to avoid contact with them.

Later, after they may pass by, windows and doors are reopened once again, people rejoice, and sunshine and fresh air are welcomed once more.

It’s strange, how our homes are always open to receive God’s sunshine and fresh air, but not always open to receive a “child of God,” especially if he or she comes in poverty.

Christ urged us to be hospitable. True, hospitality today is a very different matter than it was at a time when nobody locked their doors. Many people can’t remember a time when the reality of locks, bolts, chains, peep-holes, alarm systems, and guard dogs were not commonplace.

Growing up, as I did, in 1950s Nebraska, we were not surprised by the unannounced visit of friends and acquaintances to our door. Nowadays, to do so without a “call first,” is virtually unheard of. Those were times of door-to-door salesmen, like the “Fuller Brush Man,” or the “Avon Lady,” who would make their rounds of neighborhoods. One such salesman brought accordions into our home, when I was a mere eight-years-old, and from that visit, my lifelong passion for music took root. (As it happened, my oldest brother Donald’s girlfriend, Jacqueline Cink, was our town’s accordion teacher…Hmmm?)

Hospitality offered to a friend is no “big deal.” Then, no risk is involved, and there is every likelihood the favor will be returned. But to offer a stranger hospitality, such is not the case—you don’t owe a stranger anything, and many times, there can be risk.

But Christ showed us that we should welcome strangers in our midst. It means accepting them as they are, enabling them to shed their “strangeness,” and become members of the community. He taught us to “reach out,” and thereby reap enormous rewards.

This is the kind of “spring” we can cause to visit our homes and streets, one that will banish the “winter” of mistrust, fear and hostility from our midst. Hospitality is at the very heart of the Gospel—where to welcome the stranger is to welcome Christ, Himself. In receiving the Church, people receive Christ and, ultimately, the Father.

Evoking the words of our First Reading, Jesus underlines the virtue of hospitality towards God’s envoys. Referring to his disciples as “little ones,” He suggests only people, who recognize themselves as being nothing of themselves, are able to be used for the greatest imaginable: the communication of God’s life to the world. The smallest act of kindness shown to a disciple will not fail to have its recompense—presupposing God’s kindness, which will not overlook the slightest deed of generosity. “Reward” is not something we win for ourselves—it is always the free gift of a generous God.

We must always remember that having an “open heart” comes with risks—a person can “get hurt.” But to open our hearts means we can begin to truly live. To close it is to begin to die….

Following in Christ’s Footsteps

Each of us has a “cross” to carry. There is no need to “make” one, or to “look for” one. The crosses we have are already difficult enough for us to bear. As Jesus took up His cross, we have to take up ours.

Our crosses are not made of wood, but of our burdens—worries, problems, illnesses, conflict within the family…the list is endless. Perhaps there is no “big cross,” only a multiplicity of little ones. However, enough drops eventually fill the cup to overflowing….

Our crosses may not be visible to others—not outward burdens, but inward ones, like depression or grief. These are heavy crosses, indeed, but one cannot weigh them on scales.

Our most painful cross is the one in which we have no choice. Living with a difficult person would be an example. It is much easier to choose a cross for oneself, than to accept one that comes, “in the line of duty,” so to speak.

Over and above these crosses, which come to everyone, are those which come to us because we are disciples of Christ. The most common reasons for giving up the practice of the faith are not intellectual, but moral. People know that actually following Christ will subvert their plans, which are often mercenary and proud, and would mean saying “no” to themselves, in certain instances.

Following Christ involves dying to self. This process begins at Baptism. ^†Paul compared Baptism to death, when he wrote: “In Baptism, we were buried with Christ.” At our Baptism, we “let go” of our old life of sin, becoming a new creature, able to live in freedom, as children of God. This is a lifelong process, of course, upon which we embark and persevere, only with the grace of Christ.

But the purpose of death is resurrection. The death of the old, sin-ridden self, results in the birth of a new self, modeled on Christ. A person who solely grasps at personal fulfillment will only see it slipping through their fingers; while someone who sacrifices themselves for Jesus (and others,) will find true serenity.

Christ did not choose the way of ease, or evasion. His was a life of self-sacrifice and suffering—not that He was “in love” with suffering, but because He chose the way of love. Love inevitably results in suffering…but it is the only condition that makes suffering bearable and fruitful.

We are not saved by Christ’s suffering, but by His love. And it is through His suffering that He attained to glory. If we suffer with Him on earth, we will be crowned with Him in heaven.

The road of suffering is narrow and difficult. So, it is a great comfort for us to know that Christ, the innocent and sinless One, has gone before us on that road, and followed it to the end. It is not the same since He traveled it, because, now, a bright light illuminates it; and it does not end at Calvary, but at Easter.

May God Richly Bless You!