CALL TO WORSHIP & CENTERING PRAYERS

16th Sunday of Ordinary Time
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Feast Weekend

Call to worship

Today’s scriptures remind us that visits, conversations and hospitality are deep within the loving nature of God. This weekend, as we celebrate uur own faith community, the readings proclaim the holiness of hospitality and welcome.

To the point: Martha’s generous hospitality is marred by her upbraiding Jesus and complaining to him about Mary. Rather than being truly hospitable, she is “anxious and worried” only about accomplishing a task. Her welcome shifts away from Jesus to herself. Busy about herself, she misses the “better part” — centering on Jesus. The “better part” is to be undividedly present to the person of Jesus. Even when serving.
Connecting the Gospel (Luke 10:38-42) to the first reading: Abraham exhibited true hospitality. All of his efforts and busyness were directed toward the presence of his guests and their comfort and needs. This is what Martha in the gospel failed to do: keep persons at the heart of hospitality.
Connecting the Gospel to experience: How uncomfortable we feel when our presence takes second place in the attention of a host who is busy about the details of our being there! On the other hand, how welcome we feel when we are the host’s center of concern and attention.

Centering prayers

The Gospel

(Luke 10: 38-42)

Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him.
She had a sister named Mary.

Fussy Martha readied the table,
cooked the meal, poured fine wine.
Resting Mary sat herself down at his feet.
The sound of his voice stilled her heart
and filled her soul.
O Jesus, call us to rest at your feet and listen;
to share for a while with you
that one thing that is necessary.
Let us feast on it, and then,
bustle about serving it
to others the rest of our day.

The First Reading

(Genesis 18: 1-10a)

Please do not go on past your servant.

Abraham cleansed the feet of a stranger.
God’s response: a gift of life,
where there was no life before.
His name was Isaac.
And so it went: friendship, covenant
between God and all people of all times.
Lord, let us find you in all who pass by our door!
Let them be sacraments to us.
Please fill them with your life.

The Second Reading

(Colossians 1: 24-28)

I am a minister to bring to completion for you the word of God.

Christ, let us serve as your ministers.
Let us take the riches and glory of your love
to every part of your world,
to every person, so all can know that.
“The world is charged with the grandeur of God
It will flame out, like shining from shook foil:
… Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bright wings.”*

* Quotation from G.M. Hopkins, SJ, God’s Grandeur

Music for reflection