13th Sunday – Year A

26th June 2005

S: Good morning today’s we’re on about hospitality.

B: Our word of life for today comes from Matthew’s Gospel, where Jesus says “anyone who welcomes you, welcomes me.” Jesus is stressing here the importance of hospitality – even if it is just to give someone a cup of water – but the most important thing to remember is - its not what you do its how you do it.

S: I guess we like to think of ourselves as a fairly hospitable group of people – but we can’t deny that times have changed. We need to ring before we call to a friends house – dodge the various TV soaps and sports – how terrible to interrupt the storyline of Coronation Street – we might never catch up with the story again!!! Ultimately hospitality is about attitude and we do need to reclaim our sense of welcome.

B: Hospitality is a basic Christian responsibility and like the cup of cold water in the Gospel, it’s the small things that matter – a moment to pause and greet another, a word of interest, appreciation or encouragement, a phone-call or a letter, time freely given – these are all small things but they can mean so much. Our Reflection this morning is also along these lines, it is called “Speak Lovingly”

S: Speak Lovingly and kindly, while here on earth we stay;
Our life is but a shadow that soon will glide away.

One little word of kindness on some poor heart may fall,
Like beams from the golden sun that brightly shines for all.

Speak lovingly and kindly, O let the task be ours
To scatter by the wayside – not thorns, but smiling flowers.

Though crowned with peace and plenty our happy homes may be
Remember those around us less favoured far than we.

Speak lovingly and kindly, for He is our Lord, we know,
To us will show the kindness that we to others show

B: You’ve been listening to "Just a thought" with Brenda Cribbin...

S: and Seamus Madigan. We can be contacted by e-mail on smadigan@limerickdiocese.org. If you would like your own copy of this reflection you can download it by clicking on www.limerickdiocese.org
Or we can be contacted through the Limerick Diocesan Offices at 66 O’Connell Street.

S: We look forward to your company next week, so take care...

S & B: Bye

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