Welcoming Others
“Go and bear fruit, fruit that will last” (Jn 15:16b)
Gen 18:1-5: Abraham hosts the
angels at the Oak of Mamre
Mk 6:30-44: Jesus’ compassion
for the crowds
Meditation
When we let ourselves be
transformed by Christ, his love in us grows and bears fruit. Welcoming the
other is a concrete way of sharing the love that is within us.
Throughout his life, Jesus
welcomed those he met. He listened to them and let himself be touched by them
without being afraid of their suffering.
In the gospel account of the
multiplication of the loaves, Jesus is moved with compassion after seeing the
hungry crowd. He knows that the entire human person must be nourished, and that
he alone can truly satisfy the hunger for bread and the thirst for life. But he
does not wish to do this without his disciples, without that little something
they can give him: five loaves and two fish.
Even today he draws us to be
co-workers in his unconditional care. Sometimes something as small as a kind
look, an open ear, or our presence is enough to make a person feel welcome.
When we offer our poor abilities to Jesus, he uses them in a surprising way.
We then experience what Abraham
did, for it is by giving that we receive, and when we welcome others, we are
blessed in abundance.
It is Christ himself whom we receive in a guest.
The rule of Taizé in French and English (2012) p. 103
Will the people we welcome day after day find in us
men and women radiant with Christ, our peace?
The Sources of Taizé (2000) p. 60
Prayer
Jesus Christ, we desire to
welcome fully the brothers and sisters who are with us. You know how often we
feel helpless in the face of their suffering, yet you are always there ahead of
us and you have already received them in your compassion. Speak to them through
our words, support them through our actions, and let your blessing rest on us
all.
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| Credit: Creative Commons CC0 Public Domain |
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| Credit: Creative Commons.org |
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