Welcome, friends! Today is a special day in our liturgical calendar, the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time. As we gather in our parishes and homes this June 28th, the Church offers us a beautiful reflection on what it means to be a disciple. It’s not always about grand gestures or dramatic sacrifices that make the evening news. More often, the spiritual life is found in the quiet, hidden corners of our daily routine.
The readings for today, from the Second Book of Kings and the Gospel of Matthew, speak directly to the idea of "Hospitality of the Heart." They remind us that when we make space for others, we are making space for God Himself. Whether it is building a room for a prophet or offering a simple cup of cold water to a stranger, these "little things" are the building blocks of a holy life.
A Room for the Holy: Lessons from the Shunammite Woman
In our first reading today (2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16a), we encounter a woman from Shunem. She is described as a "woman of influence," but her true greatness lies in her spiritual intuition. She recognizes something special in the prophet Elisha as he passes through her town. She doesn't just offer him a quick meal; she senses a deeper need.
She says to her husband, "I know that this man who often visits us is a holy man of God. Let us build a little room on the roof and furnish it for him with a bed, table, chair, and lamp, so that when he comes to us he can stay there."
There is such beauty in the specificity of her hospitality. She didn't just give him a place to crash; she provided a bed for rest, a table for food and study, a chair for comfort, and a lamp for light. She created a "sacred space" within her own home. She made God’s servant feel at home, and in doing so, she invited God’s presence into her family life.
For many of us, our lives are incredibly busy. Our "spiritual roof" is often cluttered with the noise of work, social media, and endless to-do lists. The Shunammite woman challenges us to ask: Have I built a "little room" in my heart for the Lord? Spirituality isn't just about the hour we spend at Mass on Sunday. It’s about the "space" we intentionally create during the week for God to rest within us. When we carve out ten minutes for silent prayer or choose to be fully present to a friend in need, we are building that room on the roof.
And look at the result! Elisha, moved by her kindness, promises her a son, a miracle for a woman who thought that door was closed. When we give to God, we are never outdone in generosity. The "room" we build for Him becomes the very place where He performs miracles in our own lives.
Putting Love in Order: The Radical Call of Christ
In the Gospel (Matthew 10:37-42), Jesus presents us with words that can feel a bit jarring at first. He says, "Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."
Does Jesus want us to love our families less? Not at all! Instead, He is teaching us about the theology of ordered love.
Think of your heart like a house. If the foundation is shaky, the rest of the building will eventually lean or collapse. Jesus is saying that He must be the foundation. When our love for God is our primary relationship, when it is the "first love" that informs everything else, our love for our parents, our spouses, and our children actually becomes stronger and more authentic.
When we love God first, we stop expecting our family members to be our "everything." We stop putting the pressure on them to fulfill our deepest spiritual needs, needs that only God can satisfy. By "ordering" our love and putting Christ at the center, we are freed to love others with a pure, selfless heart. This is the "radical hospitality" of the Gospel: welcoming Christ so completely that His love flows through us to everyone else.
The Reward of a Cup of Water
The Gospel concludes with one of the most comforting promises in Scripture: "And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because the little one is a disciple, amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward."
This is the core of "finding God in the little things." You don't have to be a world-renowned theologian or a martyr to be a saint. You just have to do small things with great love.
A "cup of cold water" represents the simplest act of kindness. In the ancient Near East, water was a basic necessity for survival, but cold water required effort: it meant drawing it fresh from a deep well. It’s a small extra step of care.
In our modern context, what is your "cup of cold water"?
- It might be a patient smile for a stressed grocery clerk.
- It might be holding your tongue when you’re tempted to join in on office gossip.
- It might be a quick text to check on a neighbor who lives alone.
Every small act of kindness is a holy act. Every moment of patience is a prayer. When we offer these small things to others "because they are disciples," we are recognizing the face of Christ in them.
The Mission of the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA)
This spirit of "radical hospitality" and "ordered love" is exactly what fuels our work at The Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA).
Founded in 1889 by Jeanne Bigard and her mother, Stephanie, SPA was born from a simple act of hospitality. They received a letter from a bishop in Japan who was struggling to fund the education of local men who wanted to become priests. The Bigards didn't ignore the request; they "built a room" for the missions in their own hearts. They began raising funds to ensure that mission territories could have their own local clergy.
Today, our seminarians and religious sisters in mission territories are often like Elisha. they travel to remote areas, sometimes walking for miles to bring the Word of God and the Sacraments to people who have been waiting years for a priest. They rely entirely on the hospitality of the local communities they serve.
But they also rely on your hospitality.
When you support the Pontifical Mission Societies, you are effectively "building a room" for these future priests and sisters. Your donations provide:
- Ordinary Subsidies: For the daily needs and formation of seminarians and novices.
- Extraordinary Subsidies: For constructing and renovating seminaries.
- Scholarships: For future seminary educators so they can teach the next generation.
By giving to the missions, you are providing that "cup of cold water" to the "little ones" of the Church: those who are answering God’s call in the most difficult circumstances. Your generosity ensures that the Church can grow from within, led by indigenous clergy who understand the language, culture, and heart of their people. This is sustainable mission work at its finest.
Reflection: Making Space Today
As we move through this week, I invite you to reflect on two simple questions:
- Is there a "little room" in your heart today that you can offer to God? Perhaps it’s a corner of your morning routine or a space of silence before bed. How can you make that space more "furnished" for Him?
- What "cup of cold water" can you give to someone in your life today? Look for a small, simple opportunity to show kindness to someone who isn't expecting it.
Remember, every time you welcome another person, you are welcoming Christ. And every time you support the global mission of the Church, you are participating in the great work of the Apostles.
Conclusion
"Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me."
May you experience the profound joy of welcoming Christ into your home and heart today. Whether through your personal prayers or your support of our seminarians worldwide, you are a vital part of the Church’s mission.
Thank you for your amazing support and for your "Hospitality of the Heart."
God bless you!
( Fr.) ADD