Today, 30th of July, we celebrate
Saint Peter Chrysologus
First Reading: Genesis 18:1-10a
The LORD appeared to Abraham by the terebinth of Mamre,
as he sat in the entrance of his tent,
while the day was growing hot.
Looking up, Abraham saw three men standing nearby.
When he saw them, he ran from the entrance of the tent to greet them;
and bowing to the ground, he said:
"Sir, if I may ask you this favor,
please do not go on past your servant.
Let some water be brought, that you may bathe your feet,
and then rest yourselves under the tree.
Now that you have come this close to your servant,
let me bring you a little food, that you may refresh yourselves;
and afterward you may go on your way."
The men replied, "Very well, do as you have said."
Abraham hastened into the tent and told Sarah,
"Quick, three measures of fine flour! Knead it and make rolls."
He ran to the herd, picked out a tender, choice steer,
and gave it to a servant, who quickly prepared it.
Then Abraham got some curds and milk,
as well as the steer that had been prepared,
and set these before the three men;
and he waited on them under the tree while they ate.
They asked Abraham, "Where is your wife Sarah?"
He replied, "There in the tent."
One of them said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year,
and Sarah will then have a son."
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 15:2-3, 3-4, 5
R./ He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
One who walks blamelessly and does justice;
who thinks the truth in his heart
and slanders not with his tongue.
R./ He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
Who harms not his fellow man,
nor takes up a reproach against his neighbor;
by whom the reprobate is despised,
while he honors those who fear the Lord.
R./ He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
Who lends not his money at usury
and accepts no bribe against the innocent.
One who does these things
shall never be disturbed.
R./ He who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord.
Second Reading: Colossians 1:24-28
Brothers and sisters:
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake,
and in my flesh I am filling up
what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ
on behalf of his body, which is the church,
of which I am a minister
in accordance with God's stewardship given to me
to bring to completion for you the word of God,
the mystery hidden from ages and from generations past.
But now it has been manifested to his holy ones,
to whom God chose to make known the riches of the glory
of this mystery among the Gentiles;
it is Christ in you, the hope for glory.
It is he whom we proclaim,
admonishing everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom,
that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.
Gospel Reading: Luke 10:38-42
Jesus entered a village
where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.
She had a sister named Mary
who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak.
Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said,
"Lord, do you not care
that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving?
Tell her to help me."
The Lord said to her in reply,
"Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things.
There is need of only one thing.
Mary has chosen the better part
and it will not be taken from her."
Mary has chosen the better part.
Dear brothers and sisters, peace and all good.
In the middle of the European summer heat, we find Jesus and his friends entering a house to rest. Just like we do sometimes with our friends. We all need a break from time to time to recharge our batteries.
The angels who appeared to Abraham didn’t come to rest. Disguised, without showing who they were, they were welcomed by the Patriarch. Freely. Because true hospitality is always free. In the Old Testament, we are given two examples: Job and Abraham. About Job, it’s said that he built his house with four doors, one on each side, to make it easier for the poor to come in. Today, we remember how Abraham welcomed God (without knowing who his guests really were), as told in the first reading.
The reward he received for his hospitality was the promise of a child. What better gift for an elderly couple than a son? Once again, God can make possible what seems impossible to human eyes.
The second reading shows us Paul, already an older man. He had gone through many things while spreading the Gospel. And despite the suffering, he feels happy. Why? Because he gave his life for a cause that truly matters. With his suffering, Paul feels that he shares in the sufferings of Christ. He has done his work, he has announced to the non-believers the mystery hidden since the beginning of time. Now all he can do is wait for the end of his life, “advising and teaching everyone… so that all may become mature in Christ.”
This knowledge of Christ brings unity and transformation. It’s not just about collecting facts about Jesus. It’s about entering into a deep relationship with Him, sharing life and purpose. Here’s a short story to explain it:
Two men are talking:
– “So, you’ve become a Christian?”
– “Yes.”
– “Then you must know a lot about Him. Tell me, what country was He born in?”
– “I don’t know.”
– “How old was He when He died?”
– “I’m not sure.”
– “At least you’ll know how many sermons He gave?”
– “I have no idea.”
– “Wow… You know very little for someone who says he’s converted to Christ.”
– “You’re right. I’m embarrassed about how little I know. But I do know this: Three years ago, I was a drunk. I was drowning in debt. My family was falling apart. My wife and kids were afraid every time I came home. But now I’ve stopped drinking. We’re debt-free. Our home is happy. My children wait for me with joy every evening. This is what Christ has done for me. And this is what I know about Christ.”
We all need to be humble. That means accepting that the main character in our life must be God. A humble person doesn’t pray for God to do what they want, but to let God do His will in them. Only humble hearts can follow the Master, who is “gentle and humble of heart.”
And how do we know we’re really humble? By our commitment. People sometimes say we’re out of touch or wasting time when we pray. But nothing is more demanding than real prayer. From love for God must come love for God’s children. If we really connect with God, it should show in our life. Every prayer should be full of loving service—to God’s plans, and to others’ needs, like we talked about a few weeks ago. Anyone who prays has a big family to care for: the whole human race. Just like Jesus, who gave His life for everyone.
Another beautiful moment in the Gospel: Saint John tells us that “Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus.” In that order. And Martha surely knew that. So when she was overwhelmed preparing a meal for at least thirteen surprise guests (and all the cooks here know what that means!), she didn’t go to Mary. She went straight to Jesus and, like Saint Teresa, spoke up: “Lord, doesn’t it bother you that my sister left me to do all the work alone? Tell her to help me!” In other words: “Enough chatting, Lord! I’m drowning here trying to feed you all.”
And in that same family atmosphere comes Jesus’ answer: “Only one thing is necessary.” Some people understand this as if Jesus said, “Martha, I came to spend a few hours with you all, and you’ve hidden yourself in the kitchen. I can’t even see or hear you. Please, drop everything. I’m happy with something simple—just two fried eggs would do.”
Jesus told Martha that acts of kindness or hospitality should come after listening to the Word. Listening to God’s Word leads to actions full of love and generosity. Ordinary hospitality has its limits. But there is a deeper hospitality that comes from listening to God.
And Martha did learn the lesson. In the Gospel of John, when Lazarus dies, Martha goes out to meet Jesus outside the village. Their conversation is beautiful. Martha shows herself to be a great disciple who has truly understood who Jesus is. She is the first woman to say: “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, the one who was to come into the world.”
So Jesus wants to warn us about something important: the danger of routine. We get so caught up in work, so busy with the endless tasks of daily life, that we forget why we do it all. We lose our direction and fall into the never-ending cycle of the same old chores. Especially at home.
We must stay awake. Getting to know ourselves takes time. But each morning, we must rise to meet Christ, to discover what He means for us. In the end, it seems Jesus was right in the Gospel: Mary chose the better part. And believe it or not, contemplative nuns have a lot to do in this world—starting with praying for those of us who don’t pray as much as we should. As Saint Benedict’s rule says: ora et labora—pray and work. That’s it.
Your brother in faith,
Alejandro, C.M.F
Greetings
To us is proclaimed in this assembly
the mystery of God.
That mystery is Christ among us.
He speaks his word of wisdom to us.
May we listen to his words
and may Christ our Lord be with you.
R/ And also with you.
Introduction by the Celebrant
A. Jesus, Our Host And Guest
How hospitable to people are we in reality? How many people are there about whom we say: I will never allow this person to set foot in my home? And when people are my guests, do I just fuss about them, stuffing them with all sorts of good things but having no time to listen to them? Let's look at our host Jesus in this Eucharist and listen to what he says about hospitality.
B. Feel At Home
A hearty welcome to all of you on this Sunday of hospitality. It is surprising how poor people can often be hospitable to others. They offer their guests food and drink that they cannot afford for themselves. How hospitable are we to the guest, to the stranger? Let us open our doors and our hearts. It is perhaps Jesus himself who comes to your house. Be attentive to him. And remember how hospitable he is to us here in the Eucharist.
Penitential Act
Jesus, Our Host and Guest
We have failed to recognize the Lord
when he came to us in people as our guest:
Let us ask him to forgive us.
(pause)
Lord Jesus, do not allow us
to forget you in all the bustle:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Jesus Christ, make us see it is you
whom we welcome when we receive guests:
Christ, have mercy. R/ Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, make us listen to you
when you speak to us through people:
Lord, have mercy. R/ Lord, have mercy.
Touch us with your healing hand, Lord,
and forgive us all our sins.
Be our guest and companion
and lead us to everlasting life. R/ Amen.
Opening Prayer
Let us pray that we may be hospitable
to God and to people
(pause)
Our loving God and Father,
you have invited us to stay with you,
to listen to the message of Jesus your Son
and to accept from him your peace and love.
May we welcome him wholeheartedly
and learn from him to welcome him too
in people who appeal to us
for forgiveness and a bit of warmth,
for patience and hope and joy.
Let them not pass your servants by.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading Introduction: Lord, Do Not Pass Your Servant By
Abraham welcomes a stranger with the greatest hospitality, not knowing at first that he is receiving God. God gives Abraham more than Abraham could give God: the son of the promise.
Second Reading Introduction: Become Perfect In Christ
Paul is glad to suffer for Christ, to make him known to all. He wants the Lord to dwell in all, that all may become perfect in Christ.
Gospel Introduction: Mary Has Chosen The Better Part
Martha and Mary welcome Jesus in their home as a guest. While Martha is concerned about giving her guest all he needs, Mary is attentive to him as a person; she gives him her attention and receives his Word.
General Intercessions
Abraham welcomed three strangers and Martha and Mary were hospitable to the Lord. All of them were changed by their visitors. Let us pray that we too may be hospitable, and let us say: R/ Lord, make your home with us.
• That the Church may be a hospitable home for all peoples and cultures and be enriched by them, let us pray: R/ Lord, make your home with us.
• That we may learn to recognize the Lord in the features of a stranger and welcome him as we would receive the Lord himself, let us pray: R/ Lord, make your home with us.
• That like Mary we may welcome eagerly the Word the Lord speaks to us and pass on his Good News to others, let us pray: R/ Lord, make your home with us.
• That we may welcome the best of what our brothers and sisters give us, even before we share the best of ourselves with them, let us pray: R/ Lord, make your home with us.
• That in this and in all Christian communities people may feel at home with one another and serve each other, let us pray: R/ Lord, make your home with us.
Lord our God, give each of us a heart attentive to you and a heart that hears what people try to say even when they do not speak. We ask this through Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Prayer over the Gifts
Father, may we welcome Jesus your Son
in these offerings of bread and wine.
Open us to his Word and his mentality.
Prepare us to welcome him in people
and to encounter him in their person,
even when he comes at another time
and in another way than we expect him.
Enrich us by giving to, and receiving from one another
your greatest gift to us,
Jesus Christ our Lord. R/ Amen.
Introduction to the Eucharistic Prayer
In the Eucharist Jesus is our host and he fills us as his guests with his strength and love. Let us praise and thank the Father for it.
Invitation to the Lord's Prayer
With Jesus our Lord,
let us pray to our Father in heaven
that we may be open
to his will and his kingdom: R/ Our Father...
Deliver Us
Deliver us Lord, from every evil
and grant us your peace in our day.
Keep us free from sin
and help us to make time for people,
to attend to them and to listen to them.
Protect us from all anxiety
as we prepare in joyful hope
for the coming in glory
of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. R/ For the kingdom...
Invitation to Communion
This is the Lord who says:
here I stand, knocking at the door.
If anyone of you hears me calling
and opens the door,
I will enter his house
and have supper with him
and he with me.
R/ Lord, I am not worthy...
Prayer after Communion
Lord our God,
you have come among us in your Son
to be our guest.
In our everyday life,
may we always be open to anyone in need;
help us to recognize and welcome you
in everyone who comes to us.
In every human encounter
offer us your grace and love,
through Jesus Christ your Son,
who lives with you and stays with us
now and for ever. R/ Amen.
Blessing
In this Eucharist we have been
the Lord's own guests.
He has been very hospitable to us,
listening to us, speaking to us
his warm words of friendship.
He sends us out now
to be both each other's guests and hosts.
Welcome now the blessing of Almighty God:
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. R/ Amen.
Let us go in the peace of the Lord. R/ Thanks be to God.
