Have you ever been travelling and suddenly received a warm welcome? That warmth is hospitality.

Today's readings encourage us to be hospitable. Hospitality notices the needs of someone who is away from home and generously provides for them. On one hand, hospitality is an attitude; on the other hand, hospitality is expressed in concrete acts. Yet, being hospitable is a risk. When we give what we have, we may not have enough for ourselves.

This is the risk faced by the couple from Shunem. This husband and wife perform a totally gratuitous act of hospitality - they build a lodge for the prophet Elisha. In response, God blesses them with what they desire most - a son.

Being hospitable is risky. Yet God sees and rewards generously.

Today's Gospel reveals a profound depth to each act of hospitality. When we do something hospitable, even something as small as giving a cup of water to someone, we are loving Jesus himself.

So how can we overcome the fear of not having enough? Jesus invites us to trust deeply, not in what we own, but in him. Through baptism we have become God's children. God will truly provide for his children...so we are invited to take a risk and share what we have with others.