Homily: Feast of St. Benedict

Feast of St. Benedict (Mt 10:7-15) “Jesus is At the Door”

I lived next to a Benedictine monastery for six years when I was in seminary. This was at a very important stage of my life. I was just coming out of adolescence and moving into adulthood. The Benedictines taught me many lessons about how to approach life.

When I read the story of Jeus sending out his disciples to preach the Gospel it reminds me of one of the Benedictine injunctions from the Rule of Benedict. St. Benedict said, “Treat all visitors as if they were Christ.”

In the times in which Benedict lived visitors would arrive unannounced. There were no phones. Keeping accurate time was impossible. People would just show up at the door. There were no motels to stay in. The monasteries that dotted the countryside were the only haven for the traveler.

There would have been ever reason to keep the door shut and let the stranger go on their way, but Benedict believed that every visitor was an image of God. Perhaps Benedict was remembering the apostles who traveled the roads of Palestine fulfilling the command of Jesus to carry the good news out to others.

The strangers who came into the monastery probably enriched the life of the monks who did not travel much. The only news they would receive was from the visitors who came to the Monastery gate. The guests would be given a place in choir, and they would be allowed a seat at the table. Perhaps they would have some inspirational stories to tell that would inspire and uplift the monks. The gift they gave might have been more valuable than the lodging they received.

Can we look at those who come to our door as an unexpected blessing? We live in a time when even our friends and relatives are considered a burden when they come unannounced. Hospitality is a Christian virtue. Benedict calls on us to exercise that virtue today.

Reflection Questions:

1.    How do I feel when someone arrives at my door unannounced? Am I hospitable?

2.   Does it make a difference if the unexpected guest is a friend? Should it?

 Dear Parishioners,

             A sensitive topic in our society right now is the subject of suicide. Suicide goes against the natural law of self-preservation. This makes us all uncomfortable when we talk about it.

            How does the church view the person who commits suicide? This seems to be something that would be worth discussing. On the evening of August 8th, we will have a special program about suicide. We hope to answer some of the question people may have.

            We all know someone who has taken their own life. This is an opportunity to hear others share how they have lived through the loss of a loved one to suicide. Watch upcoming church publications for more information.

            May Our Lady of Peace pray for us,

            Fr. Mark