Study: Recall a moment when you experienced profound healing. Then consider a time when someone was genuinely hospitable to you.
Pray: Ask the Lord to see others with the eyes of Jesus.
Serve: How can you bring healing to another today? How can you reach out and welcome someone?
Mass Readings – 23rd Sunday of the Year
Two big themes bubble up in the Scriptures this week:
- Healing: Isaiah proclaims and Jesus performs
- Hospitality: James urges that we show no partiality
Both of these themes are part of the fabric of human life. We all know firsthand experiences of illness, disease, and discomfort. We know the relief that comes from health, especially after a long period of suffering. Jesus spent a substantial portion of his ministry healing others; indeed, every encounter with the Lord brought about some type of transformative renewal.
Hospitality touches another part of our existence. It is so easy to prejudge one another! Looks, clothing, money, power, success….we can quickly get caught up in externals and fail to recognize the shining soul that dwells in the heart. James (as usual) minces no words here – he speaks bluntly, calling us to treat one another as sons & daughters of God.
Where do you see healing in your life? Where do you see hospitality? Perhaps today we can be agents of both, helping others in moments of weakness and need, and reaching out to all with the love of Christ.
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Note: This post was first published on September 1, 2015
