Homily of Saturday of the 32nd week in ordinary time.
3 John 1:5-8, Luke 18:1-8.
Attitudes toward welcoming strangers vary significantly across cultures and religions. Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and diverse cultural groups across Africa, Asia, and Europe each hold unique views on hospitality. In many traditions, hospitality is seen as a sacred duty, reflecting deeper values of empathy and kindness. In our modern world, where peace is frequently disrupted by wars, pandemics, betrayal, and human trafficking, these attitudes are more relevant than ever.
In the Bible, the Samaritan woman initially refused to give water to Jesus, a Jew, because of cultural tension between Samaritans and Jews (John 4:9 Yet, in Christianity and Judaism, the call to welcome strangers is emphasized. Exodus 22:21 says, “You shall neither mistreat a stranger nor oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” This command outrightly illustrates a principle of empathy and kindness.
It was the spirit of hospitality that inspired Abraham to warmly receive three strangers who turned out to be angels (Genesis 18:2-5). In John 3:5-7, we see further encouragement to care for strangers as an expression of Christian charity. Welcoming strangers is one of the corporal works of mercy—a tangible way to show God’s love.
A personal story calls to mind this virtue: a girl from the Deeper Life Church, who was stranded on her first night at a new school, sought shelter with a Catholic family. Not only did they offer her a place to stay, but they gave her dinner, prayed with her, and escorted her to school the next day. That family, my family, became her second family afterwards.
Welcoming strangers is a divine work, blessed by God, as he blessed Abraham and Sarah. May we always embrace this call to hospitality. Peace be with you!
