ANGELS UNAWARES - 16TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (7/17/2022)

16^TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

July 17, 2022

ANGELS UNAWARES

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares” (Heb. 13:2). Today’s readings teach us about showing hospitality and hearing the word of God.

GENESIS

Our first reading features the patriarch Abraham, our “father in faith.” The Lord had promised Abraham descendants in number like the “stars of the sky.” Abraham sees three men standing near his tent. He addresses them as one. Some have seen in this a hint or pre-figuring of the revelation of the Blessed Trinity.

Abraham provides food and drink for the men – obviously, the Lord and two angels. After they had eaten, one of the visitors delivers a prophetic word that Sarah would have a son within the year. Our reading actually ends here, but the Scripture text goes on to say that Sarah laughed at this prediction. The Lord then repeats the prophecy and even though Sarah denies laughing, the Lord says, “Yes you did.” No use trying to put one over the Lord!

GOSPEL

Today’s gospel features Martha and Mary providing hospitality to the Lord Jesus at their home in Bethany. We are very familiar with the scene pictured here: Martha rushing around to prepare the meal while Mary sits peacefully at the Lord’s feet, listening to his word. And the Lord affirms in no uncertain terms that “Mary has chosen the better part and it  will not be taken  from her.”

Based on this gospel passage, found only in Luke, the Church, following St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas, has traditionally maintained the superiority of the contemplative life over the active life. We know, of course, that each is a distinct vocation and the two are necessary in the Church. Both Martha and Mary are, after all, saints! But the fact remains that being at the Lord’s feet and listening to his word is, in the Lord’s own words, “the better part.”

COLOSSIANS

Our second reading contains a well-known but somewhat mysterious statement. St. Paul says,”…in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, on behalf of his body, which is the Church….” This highlights the profound way in which the Lord makes his servants his intimate cooperators in suffering for the Church.

The first reading and the gospel both emphasize the need to listen for, and to, the word of God. So in this reading, Paul indicates that “God’s stewardship” is given to him to “bring to completion the word of God…”

This mystery has been hidden but now it is time for its revelation: “…it is Christ in you, the hope for glory.” Paul’s mission is to proclaim Christ, to admonish and teach in all wisdom, in order to present everyone perfect in Christ.

POWER, PRIORITY, PERFECTION

Today’s reading from Genesis brings out the power of the prophetic word of God – that Sarah would conceive a son, and indeed, an entire nation!

The gospel indicates the priority of the word of God. It takes precedence over doing household tasks.

Finally, we see from the Colossians reading that Paul’s preaching of the word of God leads to our perfection in Christ.

Blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it! As the Alleluia Verse proclaims: “Blessed are they who have kept the word with a generous heart and yield a harvest through perseverance. Alleluia.”