Today's Gospel reading about the hospitality offered to the Lord by the two sisters Martha and Mary is paired with a reading from the Book of Genesis in which we are presented with the beautiful example of Abraham and Sarah’s hospitality. During the mysterious visit of these three travelers God announces to Abraham that his wife Sarah will finally bear a son.

Genesis tells us that it was midday, "while the day was growing hot," when the encounter began. In many religions, the time of midday relates to the practice of prayer. We might believe that a man of faith like Abraham would be praying at that moment. We are told that the Lord appeared to him then.

God comes to Abraham, appearing to him in human form, as three persons. This is one of several parts of the Old Testament where the mystery of the Holy Trinity is veiled. Once Abraham sees these strangers near his house, he immediately goes to meet them and invites them into his home. Abraham begged them to come in, as if it were necessary for him to welcome them into his home.

Hospitality was something very important and sacred in many ancient cultures. People believed that the gods could visit them hidden in strangers. For Abraham, hospitality was not only a cultural matter but a religious one. Abraham had heard God's voice several times in recent years. Abraham was ready to welcome God hidden in other people. Therefore, his hospitality to everyone was such that for him, it was as if each time he was serving God himself in them.

Abraham, who lived 18 centuries before the Lord, unknowingly put into practice the Lord's teaching: “Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me… Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’” (Matthew 25:34-35, 40).

Hospitality is a human and religious virtue. In our Christian religion, hospitality is a form of charity and love. Through hospitality we demonstrate love for others, especially those in need and strangers. Ultimately, our love for God is demonstrated in our love for others. According to the Lord, He is secretly present in them. We should be prepared to serve God in all who we meet.

Abraham is a good model for us. Abraham's hallmark was his perfect acceptance of God's Word. Abraham always listened to God's voice and immediately put His commands into practice, regardless of the cost. In other words, Abraham's life was one of welcoming God, both in His Word and in His person, present in others.

Saint Luke tells us in the Gospel that two sisters, Martha and Mary, welcomed the Lord into their home. The two sisters offer hospitality to the Lord in two different ways. Martha does so by serving and preparing a meal. Mary does so by sitting at the Lord's feet and attentively listening to His words. Both forms of hospitality are important. However, the Lord says that the form Mary chose is the best. The reason is that giving all the importance to things runs the risk of forgetting what is most important: the person invited, whom we must listen to.

Let us humbly ask the Lord to increase in us the virtue of hospitality. May we take time to listen to him in prayer. May we know how to welcome him in others, especially strangers and those in need.