The Gospel Truth

In recent years, hospitality has received more attention in American parishes. Some parishes have even instituted a ministry of greeters for the weekend Masses, so that those attending will find a warm welcome.

On the surface, this may look like a public relations tactic. But if we examine the Scriptures, we will discover that hospitality holds an important place there.

For example, the theme of hospitality pervades Luke’s Gospel. We might recall the story of Martha, who complains to Jesus because her sister Mary is not helping her with her responsibilities as a hostess (Lk 10:38-43). Even some of the parables exclusively found in Luke include the theme of hospitality. The Good Samaritan who rescues the traveler victimized by robbers checks him into an inn (Lk 10:34-35). The compassionate father welcomes back his prodigal son with open arms and a feast (Lk 15:11-32).

With this in mind, it makes sense to examine Sunday’s Gospel reading, Luke 9:11b-17, with attention to the theme of hospitality. The reading describes the multiplication of the loaves and the fish, a miracle so important that all four Gospels include an account of it.

In a sense, the miracle is all about hospitality. Jesus is the host who feeds his guests, this huge crowd of people, with the five loaves of bread and the two fish which he has miraculously multiplied, in this deserted place, an otherwise inhospitable location.

Like Matthew, Luke closely follows the account in Mark’s Gospel, on which Matthew and Luke patterned their respective Gospels. At the same time, Luke adds some details which highlight the theme of hospitality.

For example, Luke introduces his account with the phrase: “[Jesus] welcomed the crowds.” This phrase, not found in the other Gospel accounts, is also omitted from our Lectionary reading, which begins with the second half of that verse. In any case, the action of welcoming establishes Jesus as the host to what eventually will turn into a dinner party on a grand scale.

The apostles approach Jesus with their concerns: “Dismiss the crowd so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms and find lodging and provisions; for we are in a deserted place here. ” The apostles’ appeal closely resembles the one found in Mark and Matthew, except it suggests that the crowd seek overnight accommodations, and not just supper.

Keep in mind that the crowd approximates the size of a small city. If the men number about 5,000, the women and children added in will swell that number to 15,000? 20,000?

In any case, the situation looks hopeless. It is impossible to feed such a large crowd, much less put them up for the night. But that would be one of the concerns of hospitality.

Jesus’ miracle addresses the hunger pangs of the crowd, even if it overlooks their need for lodging. He does not multiply a tent to accommodate the crowd. That particular need drops out of the picture, in view of the overwhelming abundance produced by the multiplication of the loaves and the fish. In light of such a miracle, why worry about a place to sleep?

In any case, Jesus is the perfect host. His multiplication of the loaves and fish anticipates another meal to which Jesus invites us all, the Eucharist in which he offers himself. What more could we ask?

Father Stubbs is the pastor of St. Francis de Sales Parish, Lansing.