WORD ALIVE
In today’s gospel, Jesus teaches the Christian commitment of hospitality or welcoming people into their homes. Hospitality is an important part of Christian charity. Jesus himself was often a guest in the house of Martha and Mary since he was an itinerant preacher.
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One night, a stormy rain stranded a newly-wed couple on a remote country road. Unable to go any farther, they got out of their car and walked towards a dimly lit farmhouse.
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When they reached the house, an elderly couple, carrying a kerosene lamp, met them at the door. Explaining their predicament, the young man asked: “Could we spend the night with you? A place on the floor or a few chairs will do.”
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Seeing their condition, the elderly woman said, “Why surely, children. We just happen to have a spare bedroom.”
The next morning the newly-weds got up early and prepared to leave without disturbing the elderly couple.
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They dressed quietly, put some money on the dresser, and tiptoed down the stairs. When they opened the door to the living room, they found the old couple asleep in the chairs. They had given the newlyweds their only bedroom.
This heartwarming story is a modern-day illustration of Jesus’ teaching about welcoming people into their house.
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In the recent devastating Covid-19 pandemic, Filipinos, who are known for hospitality, manifested numerous acts of compassion on the poor and the less fortunate.
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To mention some: a couple, who owns the Potburri Restaurant in Quezon City and, moved with pity, opened their door for them. The charitable couple gave them some food and converted their hall for sleeping accommodation.
Similarly, in Pasig City, a kind-hearted proprietor of an elegant hotel offered the facilities to serve as quarantine accommodation.
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Then, there were two sisters, Evita Ricafort, a public health lawyer, and Jane. They related that when some homeowners started lending their vacant spaces, they also lent their 45-square-meter-condo unit in Caloocan to health workers as well as other frontliners like security guards, cashiers, restaurant servers, drugstore clerks, bank employees.
This happened at that time when the frontliners were discriminated against for fear of contamination and for lack of transportation, forcing them to walk home for hours.
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Jane called the group “Bayanihan Through Hospitality.”
A writer once said, “Sometimes, miracles are just good people with kind hearts.”
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Finally, Jesus assures us that God will reward us for all our good deeds. This is shown in the first reading when an elderly couple took into their home the tired and hungry prophet Elisha and even offered him a small room. Because of their hospitality, the childless couple was rewarded miraculously. The wife bore a baby son – despite the wife’s barren condition (2 Kings 4-16).
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Jesus’ words in today’s gospel did not only declare a reward but also promised, thus: “I promise you, whoever gives a cup of cold water to one of these lowly ones will certainly receive a reward” (Mt 10,42).
“Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will never pass away,” the Lord said.
St. Paul for his part stated: “Don’t grow tired in doing good; for in due time you will receive your reward” (Galatians 6:9-10).
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Support seminarians. Talking about good deeds, please help our seminarians who are now enrolling for the new school year. Donate any amount or sponsor a seminarian's formation for one school year. For inquiry, e-mail me at: [email protected]
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The lighter side. A man says: “What scares me most is when God says to St. Mother Teresa on Judgment Day, ‘Teresa, you should have done more good works.’
And there I am — right behind her!”
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St. Peter to a wealthy applicant at Heaven’s Gate: And what good deeds did you do during your lifetime? New applicant: Well, I once gave beggars a total of ₱1,500.
St. Peter: Anything else? Applicant: I’m afraid no more. St. Peter: Well, here’s your ₱1,500 back — you can go to hell now!