God, our father, calls for justice and hospitality

In the course of the Fourteenth Sunday in Extraordinary Time, we encountered a picture of God as mother. In today’s Gospel, we hear language depicting God using the image of a father. The primary reading and the Gospel depict God as a just father who invites us to take part in justice and who requires hospitality from all people. These readings call on us to create a more just and welcoming society. 

The primary reading from Genesis describes a dialogue between God and Abraham through which God shares plans to punish Sodom and Gomorrah. Before the destruction occurs, Abraham presses for God to spare those that are righteous: “Shouldn’t the judge of all of the world act with justice?” Abraham advocates for innocent individuals who may be just in order that they’d not perish within the destruction. The cities are destroyed in the next chapter of Genesis on account of their lack of hospitality, because the people attack fairly than welcome strangers. The exchange in the primary reading shows Abraham’s persistence and interest in protecting innocent parties. Ultimately, within the narrative, the cities usually are not spared, as no just and righteous people might be found.

The critique against the hospitality of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah is a vital element that just isn’t at all times highlighted. Unfortunately, the story has been misused to attack and condemn people based on sexual orientation, yet the tradition is rooted in a critique of inhospitality and injustice toward outsiders. Abraham and his nephew Lot demonstrated how you can greet strangers, offering food, lodging and protection within the land. The people of Sodom and Gomorrah, however, fail on this regard which ends up in their destruction.

The Gospel reading from Luke echoes this concern for hospitality. At the top of the reading, Jesus gives examples and rhetorical questions that decision for reflection and motion: If a friend asks for 3 loaves of bread, would you say “don’t trouble me” or would you offer them food? “What father amongst you’d hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish?” The questions invite hearers to take into consideration how they need to reply to the needs of others. These ideas construct on the Good Samaritan parable we encountered two weeks ago, which centered on love, care and mercy.

Unfortunately, the story of Sodom and Gomorrah has been misused to attack and condemn people based on sexual orientation, yet the tradition is rooted in a critique of inhospitality and injustice toward outsiders.

The themes of justice and hospitality are incredibly timely, as many individuals have shown a disinterest in justice and have promoted unwelcoming attitudes and policies. Jesus calls on his followers to be advocates like Abraham, being mindful of those that are unjustly accused and speaking truth to power, even divine power, for the sake of justice. What can we do to be proactive and chronic like Abraham to fight for justice, especially at a time when racism, sexism, classism and other categories of discrimination are widespread? 

Our readings also remind us that hospitality and welcoming the stranger are foundational principles of discipleship, principles required and modeled by God, our father. We must work to create a society that promotes inclusion over exclusion.