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These readings invite us to reflect on how we welcome Christ into our lives and prioritize His presence amid the busyness of our world. However, this reflection takes on a somber tone as we also consider the recent tragic attack on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza, which underscores the urgency of living out these readings in a world marked by suffering and violence.
First Reading: Genesis 18:1-10a
In this passage, Abraham welcomes three mysterious visitors with extraordinary hospitality, offering them rest, water, and a meal under the tree at Mamre. His generosity is met with a divine promise: Sarah will bear a son despite her old age. This reading highlights the virtue of hospitality as an act of openness to God’s presence, often disguised in the stranger. Abraham’s attentive care reflects a heart ready to receive God’s blessings, even in unexpected ways.
Second Reading: Colossians 1:24-28
Paul speaks of rejoicing in his sufferings for the sake of the Church, emphasizing his mission to make known the “mystery hidden for ages” — Christ in us, the hope of glory. This passage reminds us that our struggles, when united with Christ’s, become redemptive. Paul’s focus on proclaiming Christ to all, especially the Gentiles, calls us to share the Gospel with perseverance, trusting that Christ’s presence within us is our ultimate hope.
Gospel: Luke 10:38-42
The story of Martha and Mary presents a contrast between active service and contemplative listening. Martha busies herself with hospitality, while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, absorbing His teaching. When Martha complains, Jesus gently affirms that Mary has chosen the “better part” — prioritizing His word. This does not diminish Martha’s service but underscores the necessity of balancing action with attentive listening to Christ.
Reflection in Light of Gaza’s Holy Family Church
The readings’ themes of hospitality, suffering, and listening to Christ resonate deeply when we consider the attack on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza on July 17, 2025. Reports indicate that an Israeli shell struck the church compound, killing three people, including the parish janitor and an elderly woman, and wounding ten others, including the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli. The church, a refuge for hundreds of displaced Christians and Muslims, was a beacon of hope in a war-torn region. This tragedy, condemned by Pope Leo XIV and others as a violation of the sanctity of religious sites, challenges us to apply the readings to real-world suffering.
Abraham’s hospitality in Genesis calls us to see Christ in those who suffer, like the displaced families sheltering in Gaza’s church. Just as Abraham welcomed strangers and received a divine promise, we are called to extend compassion to those in crisis, recognizing their dignity. The attack on the church, which sheltered both Christians and Muslims, including children with disabilities, reminds us that hospitality must extend beyond our comfort zones, even in the face of violence.
Paul’s words in Colossians about suffering for the Church take on a poignant meaning. Father Romanelli and the Gaza community embody this redemptive suffering, enduring loss while clinging to faith. Their perseverance mirrors Paul’s mission to proclaim Christ amid hardship, offering hope to a world that often seems hopeless. The church’s role as a sanctuary reflects the “Christ in you” that Paul celebrates — a presence that endures even under attack.
The Gospel’s call to choose the “better part” challenges us to listen to Christ amid chaos. Father Romanelli’s leadership, urging people to stay safe during the strike, and his daily conversations with the late Pope Francis, show a man rooted in prayer and action. The Gaza community’s resilience invites us to prioritize Christ’s voice, even when the world’s violence drowns it out. Mary’s choice to sit at Jesus’ feet reminds us that prayer and reflection ground our service, giving us strength to respond to crises with love.
Conclusion
The readings for July 20, 2025, call us to welcome Christ through hospitality, unite our sufferings with His, and prioritize His word. The attack on the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza brings these lessons into sharp focus, urging us to stand in solidarity with those who suffer, advocate for peace, and embody Christ’s love in a broken world. As we reflect on Abraham’s generosity, Paul’s perseverance, and Mary’s attentiveness, let us pray for the Gaza community, that they may find strength in Christ, the hope of glory, and that peace may prevail where violence has struck.
[](https://www.npr.org/2025/07/17/nx-s1-5471391/israel-hamas-war-gaza-catholic-church-priest)[](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/07/17/gaza-catholic-church-holy-family-strike/)[](https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2025-07/the-parish-priest-father-gabriel-romanelli.html)
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