When I meet with families to prepare funerals for their loved ones – places often get mentioned about where the deceased spent their early years to where their family life is established. Each family is a unique story. Thanks to the faith we share we have the privilege of having our paths cross at an important intersection.
Places play an important role in people’s life and so it does in the Scriptures – they help us recall the important events and how it shaped the lives of many. Bethany, long before it became a contentious zone in the West Bank – was a place of biblical significance.
In this town lived the lives of faith-filled siblings, Lazarus, along with his sisters, Mary and Martha. Here they welcomed a dear friend in Jesus into their home. In their very home they learn what it means to enter the spirit of true hospitality.
Jesus offered these friends insights which furthered their understanding. By being attentive to the Word –our sense of hospitality to God grows. Hospitality is not the same if attention is not given to the guest! Receiving the Word of God into one’s heart is a form of spiritual hospitality. At a deeper level, it is Christ who offers his friends hospitality by generously nourishing them with his Word.
Bethany is a place where the dead was resuscitated. From the tomb – Lazarus emerged to confirm the power of Christ over death. For the people of Bethany, their faith in life beyond death is possible! Imagine the lasting impact on all who were present.
Bethany is remembered also in the Seventh Week of Easter as the place where the Ascension took place. With his close friends, he instructed, blessed and shared his spirit. Before their eyes of faith, he “ascended” into a spiritual dimension. It is here the disciples showed their reception of his spirit by praising God with joy.
Bethany draws attention to itself by these key moments in Jesus’ life where he showed us spiritual hospitality, his power over death and the sharing of Christ’s spirit. Bethany is by no means an insignificant place.
By Fr Hoang Dinh
19 Brenbeal Street, Balwyn VIC 3103
Telephone: 03 9816 9291
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours:
Tue - Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm
Lucia Leung says:
Thanks, Fr. Hoang. Jesus indeed has been providing me the hospitality of His Holy Words, Body and Blood. Thanks to Him. Amen