Editor's Note: There is no printed transcript of the homily from Bishop Gumbleton because we did not receive a usable recording of the homily. The following is a telephone conversation between Bishop Gumbleton and Tom Fox about the readings for July 22. When we have transcripts and audio files of Bishop Gumbleton's talks, we will post them to NCRcafe.org.

In this NCR Podcast special, Bishop Thomas Gumbleton talks with Tom Fox about the scripture readings for Sunday July 22. Gumbleton says the main theme of the readings is becoming a welcoming people. He discusses hospitality in the Hebrew tradition and the Gospel story of Martha and Mary. He draws from these lessons implications for not only our individual spiritualities, but also our society's response to immigration and Iraqis displaced by war. He says we -- as individuals and a nation -- should be asking why they want to leave their homes. Gumbleton has visited Iraq nine times, the last time in 2004.

Learn some more
Last month, Tom Fox interviewed Dominican Sr. Luma Khudher, now living and studying in Chicago, is a 31-year-old Iraqi woman religious who has watched her country descend into the pits of irrational war. Listen to the podcast: Life in Iraq today [4].

Read more about Iraqi refugees in the Aug. 3 NCR (which is available now):

• Escape into insecurity [5], by Noah Merrill
• Noah Merrill said he went to Jordan with one question: What are the Iraqis thinking? [6], by Margot Patterson

Bishop Gumbleton's homilies appear on NCRcafe.org: The Peace Pulpit [7].