Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo, Bishop
“When you hold a lunch or a dinner…”
I would like to expand the meaning of our Lord’s words here. Without taking away from the literal meaning, our Lord gave these words, I’d like to expand them into our daily lives. I take St. Paul, in his letter to the Philippians today, for a lead:
If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit,
any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love,
The “lunch or a dinner” we hold as we relate to others in daily life is the encouragement that is “in Christ”! We are meant to participate in Christ’s gift of self in our words and deeds. Whether it involves food or not, our exercise of hospitality is involved. Seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance, we offer our love, our concern, our interest, our compassion, and yes, if needed, our forgiveness.
This is the Christ-love we participate in, not for the sake of repayment but because Christ has invited us to his lunch or dinner in the holy Eucharist, where he has given us his very life to be lived out when we leave Mass.
Reflection by Fr. Xavier Nacke, OSB
Posted in Articles for Ordinary Time, Daily Reflections