“Our families need to ask for the gift of the Spirit! Through prayer, even in the busiest times, we give time back to God, we find the peace that comes from appreciating the important things, and we encounter the joy of God’s unexpected gifts. Through daily prayer may our homes become, like the house of Martha and Mary, places where Jesus always finds a warm welcome (Pope Francis).” While it is necessary to attend to the details of hospitality, learning how to be present to people, experiences, and God is sometimes more important. Creating homes that are welcoming environments requires not only organization and structure but members who truly enjoy being there and celebrating life with one another.
Details can often get the best of us. While attending to details is important to success, our obsession with them can be problematic. Whether wanting to make a good impression, fear of failure, insecurity, or emotional immaturity, throwing ourselves into the “details” of hospitality can distract us from being present to those we want to serve. Conversely, focusing exclusively on being present without any attention to detail also sets our attempts at hospitality up for disaster! We need a balance of both. But creating a truly welcoming space in our homes and within ourselves requires still more.
We have to be empty of ourselves. Becoming a welcoming, hospitable person is not possible in someone focused on their own needs and desires. If the one we serve is the one who looks back at us in the mirror, then there is no space for anyone else. While Martha and Mary had different ideas of what it means to serve, they both had the inner space and freedom to do so. They were detached from themselves. Detachment becomes the challenge to hospitality and creating a God-centered, open-hearted space in our lives. When we impulsively act out of our personal agendas, violence, abuse, pride, greed, lust, power, control, passion, and self-aggrandizement encroach upon the space needed to be present to another human being. Not only can others not find a home in us, but even God cannot find a home in us! ©LPi
Notes for this Weekend
Welcome
Welcome to our Eucharistic Celebration on this Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time.
Today we hear our forebears in faith invite others to share a meal and fellowship with them. Abraham and Sarah welcome three strangers and insist they rest and eat. Martha and Mary welcome Jesus into their home, where Martha takes care of all the serving while Mary visits with him. Here today we too are invited to listen to God’s word and share a meal. Let us give thanks to God for this wonderful hospitality.
The intentions of this Mass are for all those in our special intention basket and...
Please stand for our procession.
Universal Prayer
A. For all Christians during this “Forward in Mission” Jubilee Year, that following the example of Mary of Bethany, we choose the better part by listening to the words of Jesus, let us pray to the Lord.
B. For immigrants, refugees, those seeking asylum, and all who migrate in search of safety, security, and well-being, that they may find welcome in their new home, let us pray to the Lord.
C. For those who suffer in the summer’s extreme temperatures, especially seniors and those with difficult medical conditions, let us pray to the Lord.
D. That our community of faith may always exercise hospitality, inviting all those seeking a spiritual home, let us pray to the Lord.
E. For all the prayers that we hold in the silence of our hearts; for all our intentions spoken and unspoken, let us pray to the Lord.
Announcements
1. Today we have our National needs combined second collection. This collection allows us to continue strengthening our Catholic faith, values, and education through the catholic communication campaign’s television, radio, and print messages. We thank you for your generosity.
2. We will have our Youth Confirmation registrations from 9 am to 1:30 pm in St. Joseph Hall during the Sundays of July. Adult confirmation forms can be picked up with the Parish secretary.
