St. Matthew Catholic Church

Weekly Message     

29. Our Hospitality Gives Hope

Dear brothers and sisters,   

     Hospitality is a human virtue - a gesture of kindness or generosity. Hospitality opens the door to divine presence. When we welcome others, especially with faith and love, we welcome God, and through that encounter, we give hope.

     A couple getting married invited “whoever wants to celebrate with us” to their small-town reception. Among the guests was a man who had been hitchhiking across the state. He ate, danced, and even gave a toast. Later, the groom said, “We still don’t know who he was, but he gave the best toast of the night—and we think he blessed our marriage.” Stranger’s blessing!

     Abraham sees three strangers near his tent and runs to serve them. His hospitality is generous, immediate, and deeply reverent. The result? Received a divine blessing; a promise is fulfilled: “By this time next year, Sarah will have a son.” Hospitality to strangers brings blessings!

     We also see two different types of Hospitality. Martha welcomes Jesus and serves Him, busily. Mary listened to Jesus attentively. Jesus affirms that Mary has chosen the better part, not because Martha was wrong, but because of her attentiveness to Jesus. Hospitality is about welcoming others with a godly heart.

     St. Paul says, Christ in You is the Hope of Glory (Col. 1:24–28) when we receive the people around us as Christ would do, we carry hope within. Every time we open our hearts to others, we nourish the hope and give hope.

     Christian hospitality isn't just about niceness—it's opening our homes, hearts, and churches to others sowing hope in them. “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” (Heb.13:2)

Prayers and Blessings!

                                               Bishop Kelly's Pastoral Letter 
                                              Carta Pastoral - Pentecostes -Espanol

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