Exercising the Virtue of Hospitality at St. Charles

Summary of a Fr. Gerry Creedon homily from June 26, 2005

"Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet, receives a prophet's reward."

My mother was a determined woman. A few summers ago she had planned to visit Manchester, England to visit a brother's family. However, her plans were thwarted when the doctor decided that her pacemaker had to be replaced. This did not stop her. She arranged for the head nurse to release her a day early so that she could make the flight at Cork Airport. I was ordered to have a car at a side door to escape the notice of the doctors and administration.

I was speeding to the airport when she urged me to drive downtown. She needed to go to Roches' Stores. I questioned her reason for this unwelcome detour into traffic. She made it clear, "You never go into someone's house empty-handed".

The demands of hospitality in her book took precedence over all other considerations. (As an aside, when we reached the security check she wondered how the doctors had sent the guards the message "No pacemakers allowed though xray". In her panic she declared "I have a fax-machine". I had to explain what she meant as they ushered her though, much to her relief.)

The scriptures this weekend support the same value. A woman of influence offered accomodation to the visiting prophet. She arranged a room on the roof with a bed, table, chair and lamp. In return she was given the gift of new life. Jesus promises a reward to whoever gives even a cup of cold water. We remember how he gave acceptance to the Samaritan woman who had given him water from the well.

This message of hospitality is very appropriate to the summer season when we visit family and friends to renew acquaintance. Let us practice the rituals of courtesy.

At this liturgy all of us are given the opportunity to exercise the virtue of hospitality. At this celebration we welcome a new member through the Sacrament of Confirmation and First Eucharist. Kristen is accepted into our assembly by concrete gestures-- signing with oil and sharing a piece of bread. The sacraments are the church's way of continuing Jesus style of communicating his message not only by word but also by symbolic actions. Let us accompany these rites with hearts open to a new member who will enrich our lives by her faith as we hope to support her through our witness.