Today's readings concern hospitality, specifically extending hospitality to the Lord's servants. We are exhorted to do this because showing honor to those who represent the Lord is showing honor to the Lord himself. It also brings great rewards!
2 KINGS
Our first reading is about the prophet Elisha in the 9th century BC. He was provided with a "little room on the roof" by a married couple. Elisha wants to thank them for their hospitality. His servant Gehazi says that the couple has no children and are getting older. Elisha prophesies that within a year, a son would be born to the couple. Quite a gesture of thanks for their hospitality!
The Responsorial, Psalm 89, is a beautiful song of praise and thanksgiving to God.
GOSPEL
The gospel today begins with Jesus challenging his followers to radical, single-hearted discipleship and cross-bearing.
The second part of the gospel has to do with showing hospitality to the Lord's emissaries. Jesus identifies himself with those he sends: "Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."
Those who receive a prophet of the Lord or a righteous man will receive their reward. Even a cup of cold water given to a believer will not go unrewarded.
ROMANS
The second reading is from Romans 6 about baptism. In this letter, St. Paul has already dealt with the themes of salvation, reconciliation and justification through the blood of Jesus. Paul emphasizes that God's grace is greater than sin. Because we have died with Christ in baptism, the "old man," the "old Adam," the "flesh," our fallen nature has died. So, we are reminded never to forget that fact but to always think of ourselves as dead to sin and alive in Christ.
HOSPITALITY AND HONOR
Those of us who have done some traveling to speak and minister in the Lord's name know how important hospitality is. I have heard stories of good experiences and some, well, not so good! I could add my own to these as well!
It is striking how Jesus puts such a high value on being respectful to those who come in his name. May we take that lesson to heart.