July 20, 2025・16th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

Genesis 18.1-10a・Psalm 15.1+2, 3+4a+6・Colossians 1.24-28・Luke 10.38-42

Since we entered into the second part of the Ordinary Time in the church calendar year, we have been presented with important lessons on how we can live out our faith in everyday life. Last week, we were reminded about the precepts of God so near to us, understandable to us, and are already in us. We were reminded that all we need to do is to obey them. Just like the Samaritan traveler, we can live-out out our faith by being compassionate and caring to our neighbor at sight (being available for others especially in times most needed).

Today, we have the stories of devotion, hospitality, and service. We hope that each one of us will be able to further live out our faith everyday by having sincere devotion to the Word of God. The meaning of having a sincere devotion to the Word of God is being able to always listen, and being to listen attentively to the Word of God. As the Word of God touches the very core of our hearts, we are drawn to hospitality, that is, becoming more open and welcoming to others. We are also drawn to authentic service. We have been told and are being encouraged to be like Jesus, to serve and not to be served. There are indeed imminent/forthcoming hardships/sacrifices involved in service ministry. Paul in his letter to the Colossians talks about rejoicing in suffering. It teaches us that enduring hardships or patience in suffering strengthens our faith. Thankful heart is therefore the heart of those who serve because they are given the opportunity to serve others. They are thankful because it is a kind of service that purifies their hearts intentions, and the kind of service that brings them closer to Jesus.

We are all called to service. May Jesus and His teachings become the bases of our hospitality and service.