Preaching to Christ’s faithful of St. Francis Xavier Cathedral, Donkorkrom, in the Kwahu Afram Plains, Rev. Fr. Sofronio Endoma, SVD, Assisting Priest at the Cathedral declared that hospitality is both an awareness of the real needs of others and of the hidden presence of Jesus.
This, he underlined, is “the better portion which shall not be taken from us”.
Reflecting on the Gospel of Luke 10:38-42 on Sunday, July 20, 2025, the Priest highlighted that doing hospitable things is ‘Necessary’ but not ‘Sufficient’.
He added that Christians can be like the Scriptural Martha, busy about many things, without really being present to the person as guest.
“We can find ourselves caught up with details, but losing sight of the goal – welcoming the guest as a loved one,” he conscientized.
According to Fr. Endoma, people who get caught up in such traps often become resentful and bitter because others are not doing their share of the work, just like Martha who complained about her sister Mary, leaving her to do all the serving.
He said Christians must be hospitable to others because they are, in the words of St. Benedict, “other Christs”.
They will however fail to see the image of Christ in others if they are too caught up with many things.
The SVD Priest further highlighted that very often, much busyness is a reflection of ego-needs; the need for approval, self-worth, among other needs, rather than a sensitive caring response to others.
He buttressed the need for hospitality “in our hearts, our homes and the world today,” saying that people need to be more generous and caring for the needs of others.
“We need to be hospitable people who reach out to those in need and give comfort to the broken-hearted,” he stated
He added: “We need to turn outwards and embrace our brothers and sisters both near and far”.
According to him, by so doing, the words of the Responsorial Psalm will be ours: “the one who does justice will live in the presence of the Lord”.
He however underscored that the “better part” of hospitality entails not only giving but also listening attentively to the recipient. He further reiterated that what people need most of all, is to be heard and to hear.
“To grow in the Christian life, we need to combine the good works of Martha with the contemplative attitude of Mary,” he upheld.
By Sr. Sylvie Lum Cho, MSHR (DEPSOCOM, Donkorkrom Apostolic Vicariate)
