Tag: hospitality

Discipleship is hospitality in Christ

Lord My Chef Sunday Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle A, 28 June 2026
2 Kings 4:8-11, 14-16 ><}}}}*> Romans 6:3-4, 8-11 ><}}}}*> Matthew 10:37-42
Photo by author, Kennon Road, January 2020.

Recent news in our country had gone worst this week, from dismal to very disturbing with that school shooting incident in Tacloban City leaving three dead, two critically wounded and about 20 others injured. It was the third school violence to have happened in the country in just seven days with two stabbing incidents in two different schools in Cavite province earlier.

And this Friday night while we were working on this blog, we saw raw videos uploaded in social media by some witnesses of a shooting incident at the Bocaue Toll Plaza southbound involving a white van and several police officers.

Photo by Mr. Jim Marpa, 2018.

What is happening in our country, to our people especially to our youth, and to our much admired Filipino hospitality known worldwide?

The word hospitality is from the Latin hospes that means to welcome; hence, hospital where the sick are welcomed or hospitality business referring to hotels that welcome guests.

Very close in sound is its opposite word also in Latin – hostis which is to reject and turn away from which came our words hostile, hostility and hostage. It is the opposite of to welcome.

Discipleship is being hospitable, welcoming others in Jesus Christ. It is showing Christ to others and finding Christ in others too.

Jesus said to his disciples: “Whoever receives you, receives me, and whoever receives me, receives the one who sent me… And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones to drink because heis a disciple – amen, I say to you, he will surely not lose his reward” (Matthew 10:40, 42).

Remember two Sundays ago (11th Sunday, June 14) how Jesus was moved with pity upon seeing the crowds following him, describing them like sheep without a shepherd, declaring “The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of harvest to send out laborers for his harvest” (Mt. 9:37-38). After that, he called his Twelve Apostles and sent them on their first mission with specific instructions on discipleship which continues this Sunday in our gospel.

We have to go back to that background where Jesus laid down one of the foundations of discipleship which is to care for people. Jesus never asked us to pray for more money or food or medicines; he said pray for more laborers, for more people who are person-oriented, people who take every person as a subject to be loved and cherished, not an object to be possessed or controlled.

We need people who welcome people, hospitable people. Not hostile ones.

Our Lady of Fatima University students in their outreach for special children, February 2025.

But, the opposite is happening made worse by social media that fan the hostilities among us with the spread of fake news. Due to its algorithm, we are not only divided but polarized too that we are grouped as alike in thinking and everything that we could no longer see the whole picture of the situation we are into.

Not until tragedies struck. First were the deaths in drowning of two athletes in basketball training held in a treacherous beach resort, then we have the school stabbings and shooting this week.

The more we give more importance and emphasis on material and created goods, the more we disregard God and everything spiritual that eventually leads to our disregard for humans and persons.

Thus, the world has become inhospitable. Lifestyle has replaced life with algorithms manipulating our lives to consume more for more profits, more honor, more votes – more of everything except of love and care, kindness and openness for others.

Photo by author, Los Banos, Laguna, June 2022.

See the beautiful story of the Prophet Elisha welcomed by a woman of influence in Shunem. At first he was merely invited to dine with the woman and her husband whenever he would pass by until eventually he was given a room where he could stay – complete with bed, table, chair, and lamp (2 Kgs.4:8-11).

The hospitable woman saw Elisha as a “holy man of God” that is why she welcomed him into her home. We are not given her name but she foreshadowed the women in the gospels who supported Jesus and his disciples with their generous hospitality. And that continues to these days with so many other people generously helping priests and lay missionaries.

Generosity as a hospitality in Christ is like a two-way traffic: first is the integrity and holiness of the disciples like priests and bishops. Are we like Elisha the prophet who witness the love of Christ above all?

Photo by author, Morong, Bataan, June 2023.

So sad when we hear complaints by parishioners of priests and bishops living in luxury – frequent trips abroad with some traveling business class, dining at expensive restaurants, driving high-end cars, so deep into gambling or so vain in clothing. Not to mention some having luxurious residences. Most embarrassing is how they flaunt these in social media, relishing their ties and closeness with the rich and powerful, even corrupt government officials.

Times have changed when people so eager to welcome their pastors whenever they came to visit because today, it means handing of envelops for endless donations for various projects. What’s the use of having beautiful churches and facilities with no good relationships among priests and parishioners?

See the attitude of Elisha: his simplicity in knowing that all those hospitality accorded to him is because of his being a man of God; his discretion to the private life of his hosts, maintaining a safe distance, no trace of abusive behavior at all; and his desire to express his gratitude to the generosity of the woman and her husband. Hindi puro kabig at the expense of liturgical practices.

On the other hand, we find also the other side of discipleship as hospitality in Christ with the woman of Shunem: her discretion to be not too “rubbing” or insisting on Elisha that she never overwhelmed the prophet with her admiration, her excessive attention, and other personal concerns that could lead to precarious and scandalous situations. Many times, lay people forget that they are also to be blamed when priests and bishops become abusive when parishioners have become “enablers” of clerical excesses. The truly hospitable parishioners are those who help their priests become holy and faithful in ministry by giving them the space and time to pray and rest.

Discipleship as a hospitality in Christ means having the love of Jesus taking possession of us in our dealing with one another. It is sharing the Christ in me, finding the Christ in you. It is what St. Paul is telling us in the second reading: we are called to the highest moral standards of witnessing the gospel by being “dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus” (Rom.6:11). Of course, we are all weak and still sinful but being a Christian is to have the love of Christ before all else which is what forgetting one’s mother and father or son and daughter by taking our cross is all about.

Hospitality in Christ is thinking more of God in Jesus than of one’s self so that others may have the space and chance to find and bring out Christ in them. Amen. Have a blessed, safe week ahead.

Photo by author, St. Michael Retreat House, Antipolo City, 16 June 2026.

Remaining in Jesus

The Lord Is My Chef Daily Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
First Friday, Fourth Week in Ordinary Time, 07 February 2025
Hebrews 13:1-8     ><}}}}*>  +  ><}}}}*>  +  ><}}}}*>     Mark 6:14-29
Photo by Mr. Gelo Carpio Nicolas, January 2020.
Keep me faithful and true
to you,
Jesus
because 
you are 
"the same yesterday,
today, 
and forever"
(Hebrews 13:8);
it is I who forgets
all the time,
who chooses to turn away
from you and be unloving,
unkind,
unforgiving.
Forgive me, Jesus
when you tell me
"Let brotherly love continue"
(Hebrews 13:1)....
...but many times
I can't look or even consider
 each one a brother or a sister
because of our many differences.
"Do not neglect hospitality,
for through it some have unknowingly
entertained angels"
(Hebrews 13:2)...
...I think,
more than the angels
but on many occasions it was
you whom I have turned away,
Jesus because I am
so suspicious of others
who come to me for whatever
needs.
"Be mindful of prisoners
as if sharing their imprisonment,
and of the ill-treated as of yourselves,
for you are also in the body"
(Hebrews 13:3)...
I'm sorry,
Jesus for the many times
I have imprisoned others
in my narrow mind
of many biases
 and prejudices.
"Let marriage be honored
among all and the marriage bed
be kept undefiled"
(Hebrews (13:4)...
what a shame,
Jesus in our age when
marriage is no longer honored
and just taken for granted
with many couples
defiling their bed.
"Let your life be free
from love of money but
be content with what you have"
(Hebrews 13:5)...
alas!
my dearest Jesus,
save us your priests
our diocese so in love
with money,
with the rich
and powerful with whom
we are so close
and identified with,
totally neglecting
the poor and the suffering
among us with our
many excuses and alibis,
always at their beck and calls.
Yes, Jesus,
many times we feel like
Herod: bothered
only by the gospel,
bothered only of your
presence among the poor
and suffering
but so much like Herod,
we never bothered ourselves
to truly find you
and follow you.
Amen.
Photo from Wikipedia, mosaic of Jesus with Mary and John the Baptist at the Hagia Sophia in Turkey.

Jesus in our siblings

The Lord Is My Chef Breakfast Recipe for the Soul by Fr. Nicanor F. Lalog II
Thursday, Memorial of Sts. Martha, Mary and Lazarus, Siblings and Friends of the Lord, 29 July 2021
Exodus 40:16-21, 34-38   ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'> + ><]]]]'>   John 11:19-27
An icon of Jesus visiting his friends, the siblings Sts. Lazarus, Mary and Martha. Photo from crossroadsinitiative.com.
What a tremendous grace from you,
dearest God our Father through
Pope Francis that we now celebrate
the Memorial not only of St. Martha 
but also of her brother St. Lazarus and 
sister St. Mary who were all dear friends 
of Jesus Christ he frequently visited in 
their home at Bethany.  
Finally, a beautiful imagery not only
of friendship in the Lord but most of all,
the oft-neglected and taken for granted
relationships of brothers and sisters.
In this time of the pandemic
you know how, O dear God,
we have finally come together 
as families free from all excuses 
of work and studies, of being far and away; 
but sadly, many have ignored and missed
the opportunities to bond together
and mend many gaps long festering
among siblings; instead of fighting and 
rivalries, may brothers and sisters
in every family emulate the love and 
respect among Saints Martha, Lazarus and Mary.
“The Raising of Lazarus”, 1311 painting by Duccio de Buoninsegna. Photo by commons.wikimedia.org 
We pray for all siblings to gather anew
as one family in prayers before you, Lord, 
like Saints Martha, Lazarus and Mary;
help them create a space for your Son 
Jesus Christ who is the surest bond among us
despite our many differences; like the children of 
Israel in the wilderness, may all siblings be
animated and moved by your presence, God our Father:
"Whenever the cloud rose from the dwelling,
the children of Israel would set out on their journey.
But if the cloud did not lift, they would not go forward;
only when it lifted did they go forward." (Exodus 40:36-37)
Most of all, give us the grace
to be the presence of Jesus Christ
when our siblings are sick and burdened 
with all kinds of sufferings and miseries 
like Martha and Mary present to each other
awaiting Christ’s coming after Lazarus had died:
Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if you had been here,
my brother would not have died."  Jesus told her,
"I am the resurrection and the life; whoever
believes in me, even if he dies, will live,
and everyone who lives and believes in me
will never die.  Do you believe this?" (John 11:21, 25-26)
Photo by author, Mirador Jesuit Hills, Baguio City, 2018.
Yes, dearest Lord Jesus,
I believe you are the resurrection and life;
whoever believes in you not only lives
but most of all becomes your very presence
especially among those going through
various forms of darkness in this life;
give me the grace to bring your light
and your life, your joys and your hopes
to those heavily burdened
 so they may believe like St. Martha
that "if you, Lord, had been here,
my brother would have not died."
Like St. Martha, and most likely
her siblings, too, St. Lazarus
 and St. Mary who may not have
  understood fully your words and teachings,
keep me open to your coming,
to your visits, sweet Jesus;
make my heart like theirs
filled with warmth and hospitality
to let you stay and reign in me;
most of all, like the three holy siblings
let me share with others the gift of kindness,
of being a kin to everyone in you, with you.  Amen.

True hospitality leads to salvation

The Lord Is My Chef Sunday Recipe Wk. XVI-C, 21 July 2019
Genesis 18:1-10 >< }}}*> Colossians 1:24-28 >< }}}*> Luke 10:38-42
A restaurant in the desert of Meribah on the way to the ancient city of Petra in Jordan. Photo by author, 01 May 2019.

Jesus our Good Samaritan continues his “resolutely determined journey” to Jerusalem. On his way, “Jesus entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary who sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak” (Lk.10:38-39).

It is another story only St. Luke has like the parable of the Good Samaritan last Sunday. And like that parable, we have memorized this story so well that we think there is nothing new we can find regarding the attitudes of Martha and Mary in receiving Jesus. Worst of all is when we look at its simplistic interpretation that Jesus favored Mary’s contemplative spirit than Martha’s active characteristic.

Again, Jesus invites us today to suspend our beliefs about the story of Martha and Mary by going deep inside us to discover its true meaning as it tells us something about that inner question we shared last Sunday with the scholar who asked the Lord, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Lk.10:25).

Kettle-lamp inside a restaurant in Meribah, Jordan.

Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” The Lord said to her in reply, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about so many things. There is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part and it will not be taken from her.”

Luke 10:40-42

Too often, the simplistic preaching we hear about this story is very unconvincing when some would argue the primacy of the “contemplative spirit” displayed by Mary over Martha’s zeal in hosting or “catering” for Jesus that is both necessary and valuable. Recall the many instances when Jesus also warmly accepted invitations by Pharisees and other sinners like Zacchaeus who also waited on him during meal. Two Sundays ago we heard how Jesus instructed the 72 disciples he had sent to “eat and drink whatever is offered to you” (Lk.10:7) when they are received as guests.

Very clearly, the lesson here is about hospitality that is more than staying at the feet of the Lord like Mary or getting busy at the kitchen like Martha. True hospitality in the Lord is welcoming him right in our hearts whether we are praying or doing something. Hospitality is from the Latin word “hospes” that means to welcome or to receive. In everything we do, whether in our actions and contemplation, it is Jesus who is our only focus and attention. We work in Jesus, through Jesus and with Jesus.

Jesus reproached Martha not for preparing their meal but for being “too anxious and upset” with so many things except him who had come to visit her and Mary. The gospels teem with so many instances where Jesus warned us his followers not to worry so much of the things of the world like food and clothing, money and other forms of security including how we shall defend ourselves against enemies when persecuted. Jesus has us all covered, so to speak.

The problem among so many of us priests and nuns these days is when we have become politicized than evangelized that we are so anxious and upset of so many things that we feel we are the savior of the world. The messianic complex plagues us in the Church where we have been so focused with our call, forgetting our Caller, Jesus Christ. Worst of all, we have stopped praying to Jesus especially in the Blessed Sacrament.

Last Sunday Jesus asked us to look more inside of us so that the more we see ourselves, the more we see him in others. Today, Jesus tells us that the more we become active, the more we must be contemplative looking to him within us. And when we are truly contemplative, we become more active in him with others! At its core is always that deep relationship, personal relationship with the Lord who always comes to visit us.

15th century icon of Abraham’s visitors at Mamre by Russian artist Andrei Rublev.

In the first reading we have heard Abraham welcoming his visitors believed to be the Blessed Trinity at his tent in Mamre. What a lovely story and a scene to behold where Abraham was like Martha busy preparing for the Lord his visitor. But unlike Martha, Abraham was never reproached because the Lord remained his focus in his waiting and hosting! It was during that visit at Mamre when God promised Abraham before leaving that his wife Sarai would bear a son the following year, fulfilling the earlier promise made to him that he would he would be the father of a great nation. If you have time to read further, Abraham’s wife came to be called Sarah from Sarai after the Lord heard her laughed upon hearing him spoke of their having a son the following year. It was Sarah who was reproached by God like Martha for not believing she would bear Abraham a son because she must be anxious and upset with so many other things like her age and being barren. There was no true hospitality in her too like Martha.

Back with Abraham at Mamre, the Lord revealed that true hospitality always leads to salvation, the fulfillment of the Divine promises. There in his tent where Abraham welcomed God wholeheartedly in himself, he received the good news of the birth of Isaac, the fulfillment of being the father of a great nation.

In Nazareth the same thing happened when Mary wholeheartedly welcomed the Angel Gabriel’s good news of the birth of Jesus, the Christ now in us according to St. Paul who is our “hope for glory” (Col.1:27).

In this simple story of Martha and Mary, St. Luke tells us something more than true hospitality, that whenever we receive somebody as a guest, when we reach out to help those in need like the Good Samaritan last Sunday, it is always Jesus whom we meet. Don’t be caught up with so many other things except Jesus because whenever he comes, he always has good news for us! A blessed week to everyone. Amen.

Welcome to our Parish of St. John Evangelist, Bagbaguin, Sta. Maria, Bulacan. Saturday Vigil mass at 5:30 PM and Sunday Masses at 7AM and 5:30PM. Don’t miss Jesus with his blessings and good news for you this Sunday!