The ultimate hospitality

Matthew 9:9-10

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples.

Matthew invited Jesus to his home for dinner! Can you imagine what it must have been like to host God in the flesh? Matthew was probably ecstatic that Jesus had chosen him! Yes, even him, a despised tax collector! Perhaps his invitation went something like this, “My Lord! It would be an honor if you could come over to my house for dinner tonight, it’s the least I can do.” Matthew was hospitable to Jesus because Jesus was first hospitable to him. Matthew did not choose God, rather, God chose him.

It is the same with all of us. We are all naturally hostile to God and not hospitable to him whatsoever. But God in his mercy comes to us through the preaching of his Word, and he “wins us over,” so to speak. By hearing the good news of sins forgiven through Jesus, God creates faith in our hearts. That faith in God enables us to get up from our “tax booth” and follow Christ. In response to God’s grace and gift of saving faith, we are eager to serve the Lord and bring others to know him too, just like Matthew when he invited his fellow outcasts to meet Jesus. Let’s invite both friends and strangers alike to know the hospitality of God!

-Sr. Vicar V.