Our new pastor's homily today focused on the ideas of hospitality, contemplation, and labor. Both today's first reading and the Gospel dealt with the idea of hospitality, but they did so in very different ways.
In the reading from Genesis, Abraham welcomes his guests, and treats them to the very best. For his generous hospitality, he and Sarah are rewarded. This indicates that God is pleased when we treat others well.
Our pastor noted a contrast between that message and the story from the Gospel. In it, Martha has been working hard to be the perfect host to her guests, but when she asks Jesus to get her sister to help, He gently rebukes her. Being in God's presence seems to trump any physical labor that we might do. Our pastor emphasized that doing honest labor is very much a part of our existence and that it can certainly be a part of a holy life, as long as it doesn't get in the way of our connection with God.
I'm certain that there is a middle ground. I believe that one needs to be a part of the world while still recognizing the greatness that lies beyond our perception. I believe that we can devote ourselves to God and still be connected to the world around us. In fact, I believe that we find God through our day to day acts, and that by seeking God, we better understand everything around us.
In the reading from Genesis, Abraham welcomes his guests, and treats them to the very best. For his generous hospitality, he and Sarah are rewarded. This indicates that God is pleased when we treat others well.
Our pastor noted a contrast between that message and the story from the Gospel. In it, Martha has been working hard to be the perfect host to her guests, but when she asks Jesus to get her sister to help, He gently rebukes her. Being in God's presence seems to trump any physical labor that we might do. Our pastor emphasized that doing honest labor is very much a part of our existence and that it can certainly be a part of a holy life, as long as it doesn't get in the way of our connection with God.
I'm certain that there is a middle ground. I believe that one needs to be a part of the world while still recognizing the greatness that lies beyond our perception. I believe that we can devote ourselves to God and still be connected to the world around us. In fact, I believe that we find God through our day to day acts, and that by seeking God, we better understand everything around us.
RSS Feed
