In our gospel reading this weekend, we will hear a challenging message, a message that gets to the very heart of what it means to live our gospel values.  As Jesus sends his disciples into the community to preach, to heal, and tend to those in need, he explains to them what it means to be his disciple.

Hospitality is the hallmark of our faith.  Jesus makes it clear, when we welcome others, we welcome him.  How we treat one another is a reflection of how we treat Jesus.  It is interesting that Jesus connects carrying our cross and losing ourselves to our willingness to show hospitality, to care for those in need.  When we take on an attitude of love, Jesus reminds us that we truly find ourselves.

Being a Christian is far more than just believing a doctrine or reciting prayers, it requires action, a transforming attitude of the heart.  Hospitality is not about throwing parties, doing things that cast us in a positive light, or acting in a way that make us feel good about ourselves.  Hospitality means that we make room in our lives, not only for family and friends, but for strangers and people in need. 

Jesus is not telling us give up everything we own or to turn our houses into homeless shelters and soup kitchens.  Jesus is talking about looking at the world with eyes of love and responding with compassion, forgiveness, and love.  Being a disciple means that we see the suffering of others and respond, first with our hearts by truly seeing the dignity of those who suffer, those in need, and those who are cast to the margins of society, and then, and only then, we respond with our voice, our hands, and our actions, sharing God’s embracing love. 

My friends, as we together journey in faith, let us ask the Holy Spirit to guide us and to give us the grace to pick up our cross by opening our minds, our hearts, and our hands to one another.

May God bless you and your loved ones today, tomorrow, and forevermore.

Fr. Harry