In the First Reading Abraham welcomes three heavenly guests, an image of the Blessed Trinity. But it is most of all these heavenly guests who are themselves the hosts, the gift-givers, who promise the favor of a Son to this aged couple. In the Gospel Mary sits and listens to Jesus, fascinated by her heavenly guest, while Martha prepares a meal for him. Both offer him hospitality. Martha need not complain; she need only be mindful of the guest, the true host who longs to fill her and her sister with all good gifts.
The message of today's Gospel and First Reading is clearly one of hospitality. We must remember that first of all, it is God who is always our Host. God welcomes us, draws us to himself in Christ. God gives all good gifts, longs to feeds us, fills us with all good things. This is true most of all in the Mass, where God in Christ welcomes and feeds us with his Word and his very self in Holy Communion.
Photograph by Brother Brian.
