How Do You Treat Those Around You?

Hebrews 13:1-8
Mark 6:14-29

Beloved in Christ how do we treat ourselves? How do Do we welcome a guest? Do you think it is time-consuming or stressful? Do you enjoy having visitors within your comfort zone? Do you have a open and welcoming heart? Whenever we welcome someone we welcome image and likeness of God, we welcome God. We must see the good in others just as we see in ourselves.
Today’s gospel highlights the fact that truth is greater than deceit, that truth will endure whilst selfish behavior will ultimately be ineffective, and that knowing one’s truth and acting from it is enduring. Mark weaves five characters, and their respective behaviors into this account, Let us not lose sight of its deeper meaning.

Jesus is well known by now among the people, Herod whose frailty is scandalous as manifested into fear, Herodias with her self-protective behaviors, Salome who is unreflected compliance to the will of others, and John the Baptist who has stood steadfastly for the truth in the face of opposition and fundamental values – and it has led to imprisonment, and as we learn, will now cost his very life. What happens to John the Baptist shows how power can become self-serving but in the end, the reign of God will triumph forever. Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

How do you exercise power? How do you treat those around you? In today’s first reading, we are given a simple exhortation that is full encouragement that we are to practice hospitality and caring for the salvation of souls. Hospitality is not about throwing a party or having a feast but rather it is seeing the face of Jesus Christ in those we meet. Without knowing we entertain angels.

Fr Joseph Osho