Welcoming the Unexpected: Hospitality, Discipleship, and the Peace of Christ | Word, World, & Worship
In this episode of Word, World, & Worship, Fr. Terry Keehan reflects on the readings for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time, exploring the powerful themes of hospitality, radical discipleship, and transformative love.
Fr. Keehan begins with the Old Testament story from 2 Kings 4, where the prophet Elisha is welcomed by a generous woman. Her hospitality leads to the unexpected gift of new life — a son for a couple long thought to be childless — echoing the story of Abraham and Sarah. He invites listeners to consider: When have you welcomed unexpected life in your own experience?
The reflection continues with Psalm 89 (“Forever I will sing the goodness of the Lord”), a call to gratitude, and Romans 6, which presents baptism as a profound ritual of immersion into Christ’s death and rising to new life. Fr. Keehan challenges us: What do you need to be raised from right now? We are called to be dead to sin and alive for God in Christ Jesus.
In the Gospel from Matthew 10, Jesus delivers a demanding message about discipleship: loving God above even family, taking up our cross, and losing our life to find it. Fr. Keehan highlights the paradox at the heart of the Christian life — thinking “against common thinking” — and the profound truth that welcoming a disciple means welcoming Christ Himself.
He ties the readings together through three essential movements:
* Welcoming others because we see the presence of God in them
* Offering peace as the peace of Christ, especially during the Sign of Peace at Mass
* Loving others through the love of God within us
Fr. Keehan concludes with a beautiful vision: when the peace, welcome, and love within us become the peace, welcome, and love between us, then the God within us becomes the God between us.
This episode offers rich spiritual nourishment for anyone seeking to live the Paschal mystery more deeply in daily life. Perfect for reflection, small groups, or personal prayer.