Welcoming the Holy
Here we invite you to take time for yourself in personal prayer. The following spiritual reflection offers words and images which we hope will evoke for you an experience of God.
By: Sister Joan Cawley
Opening Prayer
Lord, Open my heart that I may be open to the friend, the stranger who comes to me.
Scripture
2 Kings 4:11,14-16A
One day Elisha came to Shunem, where there was a woman of influence, who urged him to dine with her. Afterward, whenever he passed by, he used to stop there to dine. So she said to her husband, “I know that Elisha is a holy man of God. Since he visits us often, let us arrange a little room on the roof and furnish him with a bed, table, chair, and lamp, so that when he comes to us he can stay there.” Sometime later Elisha arrived and stayed in the room overnight.
Later Elisha asked, “Can something be done for her?” His servant Gehazi answered, “Yes! She has no son, and her husband is getting on in years.” Elisha said, “Call her.” When the woman had been called and stood at the door, Elisha promised, “This time next year you will be fondling a baby son.”
Reflection
In an age where everyone seems to be running from one activity to the next or is busy texting or e-mailing, some of our past customs are disappearing. One that appears to be waning is hospitality. We no longer seem to have time to welcome people into our lives for we consider ourselves too busy or have more important matters to attend to. Hospitality has long been regarded as a sacred duty and equivalent to welcoming the Lord himself. The story from the Second Book of Kings shows the importance of hospitality. The woman of influence decides that the prophet should have a place to stay when he visits. She provides a room with the basic necessities and Elisha is pleased with her efforts. He is so pleased that he wants to do something for her and promises her a son in a year.
During these Sundays in Ordinary Time, we are hearing instructions on what it means to be a disciple. Today’s lesson regards welcoming people into our lives and serving or ministering to them. If Jesus is the center of our lives, then we work to recognize him as he comes to us in the neighbor, the stranger, the family member who needs our kind word, listening ear, handout, or just our presence. Do we give others our full attention or are we always thinking ahead to the next thing to be done? Today’s Gospel (Matthew 10:34-42 ) reminds us that something as simple as giving someone a glass of cold water is an act of hospitality.
For Your Personal Reflection
How welcoming am I to those who approach me? Am I always rushing off to the next thing or do I take time to really be present and listen to others?
Closing Prayer
Lord, You know how busy I think I am that I don’t take the time to welcome others into my life. Help me to slow down and be attentive to life before it passes me by.
