From Our Pastor's Desk
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From Our Pastor's Desk
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My dear brothers and sisters, in the first reading an influential woman assists Elisha with lodging in her home and, in return, Elisha wants to do something for her. I can imagine that nice places to stay were few and far between in the ancient world. It is a very grace-filled scene of hospitality and prophets, like Elisha, bore God’s blessing to any who helped them. As Christ’s disciples today, we must remember the blessing that we can be to others.
As we approach our country’s birthday celebrations on July 4th , it is a good time to reflect on our hospitality, or lack of it, toward immigrants. They are essential to the life of our nation; many fill jobs that more established Americans do not want to do. Yet, so many have faced discrimination as we see, even to this day. But being inhospitable, is not the biblical way and it is certainly not Jesus’ way. Many of the children of immigrants would become part of the "Greatest Generation" as they willingly Many immigrants are forced to relocate because of dire circumstances in their home country. I often think about the stories I hear of some immigrants making perilous journeys to escape awful circumstances for the opportunity to have better lives. Hospitality should be our priority for those coming to our shores. Fear of "other" subsides when we encounter immigrants and realize they have the same hopes and dreams as we do. Christ’s Spirit is a twofold source of grace, first for the person who bears it and then for any who receive them. At the Eucharist, we experience God’s hospitality. A banquet is prepared for us and we are welcomed in. We received God’s hospitality. But we also practice it as we, like the Shumenite woman, discern in this gathering a place where we meet God through one another, the Word and the Eucharistic meal. We welcome the Lord today and, as usual, when we are open to an encounter with God – we receive a blessing. In our society people are gracious and hospitable towards other people like them, their friends, family, business associates, etc. But we note today that biblical hospitality is different. What we know from our scripture readings, Sunday after Sunday, is that God comes to us through other human beings, but most especially in the hungry, poor, homeless, sick, prisoner and stranger. We have a ministry here in Eugene called St. Vincent De Paul. Their mission is “a network of friends, inspired by Gospel values, growing in holiness and building a more just world through personal relationships with and service to people in need.” Volunteerism, therefore, is the heart of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and they work in helping neighbors in need. We are all called to play our part in being hospitals to others. Happy July 4th. May the Lord bless us. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Fr. Paschal Chester, SVD Comments are closed.
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