(See the readings for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time)
The Benedictine monk was awoken in the middle of the night by someone knocking at the monastery door. He got up, went to the door, opened it and joyfully greeted the visitors: “Thanks be to God. Your blessing please.”
The “Rule of Saint Benedict” was written in the early sixth century. The rule governs life in the monastery. One very important ministry at the monastery is that of the porter. He is the person who answers the door. His room is always located next to the monastery’s entrance. It may seem like a simple position but it is very important.
A contemporary Benedictine noted: “The way we answer the doors is the way we deal with the world.” St. Benedict himself instructed the porters to offer welcome “with all the gentleness that comes from reverence of God” and with “the warmth of love.” After welcoming the guests, the porter is instructed to inform the other monks so that they too might extend a warm welcome.
Although not a Benedictine monk, St. André Bessette of Montreal (1845-1937), had the role of porter for the Congregation of the Holy Cross. He exercised it with great warmth and compassion. People would line up just to be greeted by Brother Joseph, to converse with him and to seek his advice, especially the sick. At his funeral approximately 1 million people showed up to pay their respects — so great was his impact on the community and his witness to the Gospel.
The readings for Mass this Sunday call us to welcome, engage, and love the people we encounter. Jesus speaks of this in the Gospel passage. He first speaks of those who receive Him. He comes in the name of the Father to inaugurate the Kingdom of God which is manifest in His love and mercy. He is the most excellent “welcomer.”
Jesus offers everyone a share in the kingdom. His love is especially manifest in His outreach to the sick, the dying, the outcast – the “tax collectors and sinners.” He calls us, as those who receive Him, to do the same: “Whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
He then goes on to call us to receive the prophet, the righteous and the little ones. As for the prophet, who is a representative of God who speaks His Word, we might look to the first reading for an example.
Elisha is welcomed by the “woman of influence” who urges her husband to provide a room for Elisha whenever he visits. God rewards her for her kindness and generosity.
The righteous person is welcomed because his or she is righteous. In other words, they earnestly seek to follow God’s way.
The “little ones” are to be received because they are disciples. These “little ones” refer to the young (those who cannot provide for themselves) but may also refer more generally to those who are needy in any way.
Jesus speaks these words to His disciples in the context of life in the communion of the Church. However, in the broader context of His ministry and preaching, we know that the welcome and care of which He speaks is to be directed to all the people we encounter. Such was St. Benedict’s understanding when he wrote his Rule.
The welcome we offer to others is reflective of the welcome God offers to us in Christ Jesus. The image of His outstretched arms on the cross is a constant reminder of His love. His wide-open arms leave Him defenseless – a sign of openness to all whom He will embrace through His death and resurrection.
St. Paul reflects on this in the second reading from the Letter to the Romans. He reminds us that in baptism we have died with Christ so that “just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. If, then, we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him.”
We embrace His cross in baptism. We live it through our care for others and by it are given a share in eternal life.
As disciples and missionaries of Christ Jesus today, one of the ways we proclaim the Gospel is the manner in which we meet and greet people every day. Jesus demands that the encounter be one of love, respect and welcome.
Although Benedict’s instruction was written almost 1,500 years ago, his wisdom stands. His advice to the porter is guidance for all of us: Greet people “with all the gentleness that comes from reverence of God” and with “the warmth of love.”
***
Msgr. Joseph Prior is pastor of Our Lady of Grace Parish in Penndel and a former professor of Sacred Scripture and rector of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary. Read more reflections by Msgr. Prior here.
The post In Jesus’ Name, Give a Warm, Gentle Welcome to All appeared first on CatholicPhilly.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.