It is very noticeable nowadays that many people lost the sense of great hospitality. People lack respect for others and even forget some simple table manners. If this is such important for human beings, it is even more important in religion with God. In the case of religion, God dwells in us - in our soul. But what kind of hospitality are we showing God?
In the first reading, Abraham gives us an example of hospitality when he prepared a banquet for his guests. He welcomes the three strangers to his home with great respect. Ancient Christian tradition saw in these three strangers a symbol of the Trinity. The Trinity greeted him, spoke with him, and sat down to eat with him. He received them with an open heart and great esteem. The tradition of a fitting welcome for God is demonstrated as well in the reception Martha and Mary have for Jesus. In Jesus, God dwells among us. Martha is caught up with physical preparations. These are important. But she lets herself get so carried away with outer preparation while Mary, on the other hand, is preparing a spiritual banquet in her soul.
We are to welcome Christ. We need to examine the kind of preparation we do in order to receive Christ in our soul. Without spiritual courtesy, any other outward preparation is of least important. Like Mary, we need to choose the better part - to listen to Christ's word, meditate on it and live it in our daily life
In the first reading, Abraham gives us an example of hospitality when he prepared a banquet for his guests. He welcomes the three strangers to his home with great respect. Ancient Christian tradition saw in these three strangers a symbol of the Trinity. The Trinity greeted him, spoke with him, and sat down to eat with him. He received them with an open heart and great esteem. The tradition of a fitting welcome for God is demonstrated as well in the reception Martha and Mary have for Jesus. In Jesus, God dwells among us. Martha is caught up with physical preparations. These are important. But she lets herself get so carried away with outer preparation while Mary, on the other hand, is preparing a spiritual banquet in her soul.
We are to welcome Christ. We need to examine the kind of preparation we do in order to receive Christ in our soul. Without spiritual courtesy, any other outward preparation is of least important. Like Mary, we need to choose the better part - to listen to Christ's word, meditate on it and live it in our daily life