Homily for the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time \u2013 Year C<\/p>\n
In the letter to the Hebrews we find the moral of today\u2019s first reading: \u201cDo not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.\u201d \u00a0Abraham was hospitable to these three unknown visitors and was blessed with a son. <\/p>\n
These men were angels sent by God, so Abraham did well in being kind to them, in being generous. <\/p>\n
Saint Benedict, aware of the importance of hospitality, wrote in his rule for all Benedictine monks to follow:<\/p>\n
\u201cLet all guests who arrive be received like Christ, for He is going to say, \u2018I came as a guest, and you received Me.\u2019\u201d \u00a0Benedict continues writing, \u201cIn the salutation of all guests, whether arriving or departing, let all humility be shown. Let the head be bowed or the whole body prostrated on the ground in adoration of Christ, who indeed is received in their persons. \u00a0In the reception of the poor and of pilgrims the greatest care and solicitude should be shown, because it is especially in them that Christ is received.\u201d<\/p>\n
Christian hospitality is not about being nice, anybody can be nice: even evil-doers can be nice to each other. \u00a0Christian hospitality is about recognizing Christ in the other person, especially the poor as Saint Benedict reminds his monks. \u00a0Christian hospitality is to worship, adore and serve Christ as Mary did at his feet. \u00a0Christian hospitality requires a generous heart.<\/p>\n
Throughout the centuries the Church has been hospitable because it is an integral part of her mission, to recognize Christ in the needy, especially the sick, the hungry, the aged, the stranger and the imprisoned.
In the early Church, Romans were attracted to the Church because she took care of the poor, widows and orphans, the most vulnerable and disenfranchised members of Roman society. \u00a0The 4th century Roman Emperor Julian (the Apostate, as he became to be known) even instituted a welfare system to prevent more conversions to the Christian Church. \u00a0Julian wrote, \u201cthese impious Galileans (meaning Christians) not only feed their own poor, but ours also; welcoming them into their meals, they attract them, as children are attracted, with cakes.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Church has and continues to show hospitality. \u00a0The Church has and continues to welcome Christ with a generous heart. \u00a0The Church has and continues to applaud all efforts in society that help the needy and the poor. <\/p>\n
The Church operates 547 care homes for lepers worldwide along with 18,179 medical dispensaries, 34,331 social rehab facilities and 5,305 hospitals of which 611 are in the United States (12% of all hospitals in the country).<\/p>\n
The Church also has 17,223 homes for the elderly, 9,882 orphanages and countless soup kitchens and clothes closets.<\/p>\n
Catholic Charities USA is the third largest charity in the country after United Way and the Salvation Army.<\/p>\n
The Church educates almost fifty million children in her elementary schools and high schools.
As Christians we must be keenly aware that our faith is not restricted to the walls of this beautiful building. \u00a0Our faith pours out from what happens in here. \u00a0Our faith pours out from our recognition of Christ in the Eucharist and moves us to recognize Christ in the other.<\/p>\n
We would never trample over the Eucharist\u2026 yet so quickly we trample over Christ present in our neighbor through our indifference, jealousy, envy, harshness, and gossip.<\/p>\n
We would never speak of certain things here by the tabernacle\u2026 yet we oftentimes don\u2019t think twice about insulting, demeaning, judging or criticizing Christ present in our neighbor.<\/p>\n
The well-known author C.S. Lewis wrote, \u201cnext to the Blessed Sacrament itself, your neighbor is the holiest object presented to your senses.\u201d<\/p>\n
How we would treat each other differently if every person carried a tabernacle on their heads.
Yet we do not have to do this to carry Christ in our being.<\/p>\n
Blessed John Paul II wrote that the criterion by which the authenticity of our Eucharistic celebration is judged is the mutual love we show, in particular, the concern we show for those in need.<\/p>\n
Every offense to our neighbor is an offense to the risen Christ present in this Eucharist.<\/p>\n
In every expression of hospitality to our neighbor we join in Abraham being hospitable to the three angels and we join in Mary being hospitable to Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n
May Christ give us the grace to recognize him not only here before us on the altar, but beside us too, in our neighbor. <\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Homily for the 16th Sunday of Ordinary Time \u2013 Year C In the letter to the Hebrews we find the moral of today\u2019s first reading: \u201cDo not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.\u201d \u00a0Abraham was hospitable to these three unknown visitors and was blessed with a son. These men were angels […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2533,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-235","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\n