Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

The readings today should find deep resonance in the American heart. The principles of justice and mercy are summed up in the practice of hospitality.

In the days of Abraham and Sarah, given the long stretches between one city and the next and the dangers of the road, travelers kept a strict code of ethics whose fundamental principle was hospitality. Abraham was such a traveler, a merchant with an enormous caravan. He and his party traveled from Mesopotamia to Egypt. Encountering friend, stranger or enemy the traveler greeted him with elaborate courtesy – as we see in today’s first reading – and invited him to dine with him and his party. If the person were an enemy – that is, a member of a tribe hostile to one’s own – he should accept the invitation honorably. They might discuss the dangers of the trade route, weather conditions, and political developments. This information was far more important than any animus the travelers might have between them.

In today’s first reading we hear how the Lord rewarded Abraham and Sarah’s hospitality. He promised them a son, although Sarah was well passed her child bearing years. Next week we will also hear of Abraham’s boldness as he negotiated for the life of his wayward nephew, Lot. His extraordinary courtesy had earned him that privilege also. Although he could not save the towns of Sodom and Gomorrah, he got what he wanted.

Today’s gospel reading also describes the marvelous hospitality of Saints Martha and Mary to Jesus and his disciples. We should not be distracted by Martha’s momentary indiscretion as we recall how pleased Jesus was to dine in their home.

Martha, Mary and Lazarus welcomed the Lord to their home and he honored them with his divine presence. Martha recognized his physical needs for food while Mary tended his spiritual need for an undistracted listener. Notice how Mary remained silent. Even when her sister attacked her she listened and said nothing. She let Jesus be her champion and savior. These women knew “the way to a man’s heart:” good food and rapt attention to his every word.

Like the ancient Hebrews who escaped from slavery, Americans should remember our origins as we welcome friends, strangers and enemies to our country. The word “alien” has no place in our lexicon. Hospitality welcomes the diversity of languages, religions, philosophies and national origins that are among us already, and those the future brings.

As one who used to direct a retreat center, I know how demanding Lady Hospitality can be. Our guests often needed things I could barely provide, if at all. The handicapped required provisions of every sort: automatic door openers, elevators, special diets, higher toilets, lower lavatories, ASL signers, Braille printing, and so forth. There is simply no end to her demands. My guests wanted to go on retreat and they had every right to make a retreat, if only I could provide for their needs.

And yet Lady Hospitality provides rich, astonishing blessings for everyone who welcomes her. If you can give her nothing more than a glass of cold water, and you do it with eager, willing generosity -- she will shower gifts upon you.

As the American ideal, hospitality eradicates racism even as she honors the talents, history, hope and courage of African-Americans. She teaches our children many languages enabling them to move freely about the country, feeling welcome and at home in all neighborhoods. She heals our sick in her hospitals and shows reverence to the men, women, and children in our prisons. She reverences every religion and helps each devotee to obey the laws of our land, even as they challenge the laws to be more reasonable.

And finally she blesses us as she has for the past 235 years with the blessings of all nations. If we are the envy of all the world, it is because we serve our Lady Hospitality. She – not oil, gas, coal or corn – is still our greatest national asset.

The New Colossus

Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,

With conquering limbs astride from land to land;

Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand

A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame

Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name

Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand

Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes commandThe air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.

"Keep ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,

Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,

The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.

Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,

I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"