Prayer and Hospitality

My dear Friends in Christ,

Today’s readings focus on prayer and hospitality. All who knock on the door of the Church are to be invited and welcomed and not to be turned away. Hospitality was of paramount importance in the biblical world, and when a guest arrived — even unexpected, even at midnight — there was no question that hospitality must be extended. So when the man in the story finds himself without enough bread for his guest, he goes to a friend and asks to borrow some, even though he must wake up his friend’s entire household. “Don’t bother me, everyone is asleep and I can’t get up to give you anything!” So who is acting badly here? Is it the man who shows up at midnight, or is the man who turns him away? In the culture of the biblical world, it is the woken -up friend who is behaving badly. The ability of his friend to provide hospitality, and thus his honor, is at stake. We as the faithful of God have a special role in offering hospitality by inviting all within the community to share their gifts and talents. We have a duty to be hospitable to all who enter Corpus Christi Church.

Our 2022 weekly Annual Catholic Appeal gift summary is $27,170, or 54% (half way home) of our $50,000 goal. As a parish, we still have work to do to reach our goal. Thanks to all who have made a pledge and sent it in. Pledge cards are available in the Sacristy. Please help us achieve our goal.

May God bless you all,

Father John