Daily Readings - Sun Jul 21 2019

¹And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day.²He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth³and said, "O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant.⁴Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree,⁵while I bring a morsel of bread, that you may refresh yourselves, and after that you may pass on--since you have come to your servant." So they said, "Do as you have said."⁶And Abraham went quickly into the tent to Sarah and said, "Quick! Three seahs of fine flour! Knead it, and make cakes."⁷And Abraham ran to the herd and took a calf, tender and good, and gave it to a young man, who prepared it quickly.⁸Then he took curds and milk and the calf that he had prepared, and set it before them. And he stood by them under the tree while they ate.⁹They said to him, "Where is Sarah your wife?" And he said, "She is in the tent."¹⁰The LORD said, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife shall have a son." And Sarah was listening at the tent door behind him.

Colossians

Chapter 1

²⁴Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,²⁵of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,²⁶the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.²⁷To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.²⁸Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

Luke

Chapter 10

³⁸Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.⁴⁰But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me."⁴¹But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,⁴²but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her."

Sermon

In today’s readings, we encounter powerful lessons about faith, hospitality, and the balance between action and contemplation. The first reading from Genesis tells the story of Abraham’s encounter with three mysterious visitors. Abraham’s immediate response is one of hospitality—he rushes to welcome them, offers them rest and food, and serves them with generosity. This passage highlights Abraham’s deep faith and trust in God, as well as his openness to the divine presence in unexpected forms. It also foreshadows the announcement that Sarah, despite her advanced age, will bear a son, emphasizing God’s promise and the miraculous nature of faith. The second reading from Colossians shifts our focus to the missionary work of St. Paul. Paul describes his sufferings as a way of completing what is lacking in the sufferings of Christ, emphasizing his role as a servant of the Church. He speaks of the mystery of Christ, once hidden but now revealed to all people, and the hope of glory that comes from knowing and following Christ. This passage reminds us that our faith is not just a personal relationship but also a call to share the Good News with others, even in the face of challenges and sacrifices. In the Gospel, Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary, and we see two very different responses to his presence. Martha is consumed by busyness, trying to serve Jesus in a practical way, while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening to his words. Jesus gently corrects Martha, saying that Mary has chosen the “better part.” This passage teaches us that while service and action are important, they must flow from a deeper relationship with Christ. It invites us to cultivate a balance between doing and being, between activity and contemplation. These readings invite us to reflect on how we live out our faith in daily life. Like Abraham, we are called to be hospitable and open to God’s presence, even in unexpected ways. Like Paul, we are called to share the mystery of Christ with others, even when it requires sacrifice. And like Mary, we are called to prioritize time with the Lord, listening to his word and deepening our relationship with him. In a world that often values busyness and productivity, these readings remind us that true fulfillment comes from putting God first and trusting in his promises. Let us strive to live with hearts open to God, minds attentive to his word, and hands ready to serve others in love.