Friday, June 24, 2011

12th Week in Ordinary Time, Saturday, 25-06-11

Genesis 18:1-15 / Matthew 8:5-17

Hospitality is a concrete act of generosity that is shown to another person who is in need.

More so if that person is a stranger or foreigner who is looking around for some help.

And we would certainly want to he hospitable and offer help.

Yet there is always an "if" or a "but" or a "maybe".

Because such calls for hospitality and generosity often comes at the wrong time.

By the "wrong time" it could be that we are tied up with other matters, or busy with other things, or that we already have more than enough on our hands.

Well, it was the hottest time of the day when Abraham saw the three men.

The hottest time of the day meant that one is most lethargic, most tired and most unwilling to do anything.

Yet Abraham got up to offer the three strangers his hospitality and service.

Similarly, Jesus had just come from a hectic schedule, only to be met with a request from the centurion.

Both situations occur during the so-called "hottest time"of the day.

It was a call for generosity and hospitality, an occasion for showing love and care and concern.

So let us be prepared to hear that call to love and serve during the hottest part of today.

When we welcome someone at the hottest time of the day and show love and care and concern, we can be assured of God's blessings on us.