![\"angels_john_chrysostom_2\"](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/398\/2016\/10\/angels_john_chrysostom_2.jpg\")
<\/a>Entertaining angels<\/strong><\/p>\n\u201cSome \u00a0have entertained angels unawares\u201d: \u00a0the \u00a0only \u00a0<\/em>way to do that, \u00a0says\u00a0<\/em>St. John Chrysostom, \u00a0<\/em>is to show \u00a0hospitality \u00a0to the poor and insignificant. In entertaining them, \u00a0we may \u00a0entertain angels, and we certainly entertain Christ himself.<\/em><\/p>\n It is worthwhile to ask this here: Why did the rich man see Lazarus, not in company with any other of the just, but in the bosom of Abraham?<\/p>\n Abraham was hospitable; the rich man saw Lazarus there as a rebuke to his own inhospitality. Abraham used to lie in wait for those who passed by, and con- strain them to come into his dwelling; but this rich man neglected even one that lay within his very porch. He had such a treasure\u2014such an opportunity of salvation\u2014but he overlooked it each day, and didn\u2019t show kindness to the poor man. He wouldn\u2019t even give him the necessaries of life.<\/p>\n But the patriarch was not like this. He was the very opposite. Sitting at the tent door he captured, so to speak, all those that passed by. A fisherman casting his net into the sea draws up fish, and perhaps also sometimes draws up gold or pearls. In the same way he, a fisher of men, once entertained even angels\u2014and there was this wonderful circumstance, that he did so without knowing it.<\/p>\n St. Paul, with much admiration, insists on the very same thing: \u201cDo not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares\u201d (Heb. 13:2). And well does he say \u201cunawares.\u201d For if they had know- ingly received them with such goodwill, they would have done no great or wonder- ful thing: all the praise depends on the fact that, not knowing who they were that passed by, and supposing them to be simply wayfaring men, they invited them to enter so quickly.<\/p>\n Christ, too, speaking of those who acted this way, said, \u201cas you did it to one\u00a0of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me\u201d (Matt. 25:40).\u00a0\u2013St. John Chrysostom, Four Discourses, Chiefly on the Parable\u00a0<\/em>of the Rich Man and Lazarus<\/em>, \u00a0Discourse 2, chapter 5<\/p>\n IN GOD\u2019S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .<\/strong><\/p>\n How could I be more hospitable to the poor, the way Abraham was hospitable to the\u00a0angels? Do I listen when the angels point out someone in need?<\/p>\n CLOSING PRAYER<\/strong><\/p>\n Guardian Angel, help me to notice and remember all the poor among <\/em>God\u2019s <\/em>cr<\/em>ea<\/em>tur<\/em>es<\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
\nRemember to subscribe to my feed so you will not miss a day! This recurring feature at The Catholic Blogger is possible through the cooperation of author Mike Aquilina and publisher Saint Benedict Press. To get your own copy of this book, click below.
\n