Hospitality
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
(Romans 12:13)
One definition of hospitality is “the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.” Each element of this definition is relevant and significant in the context of the church. The one term that resonates most is “strangers” because it suggests someone who is not known, expected or similar. The ability and willingness to exhibit hospitality can be based, in part, upon the desire to anticipate the needs of those who come. Sometimes these needs are quite obvious, but other times the depth of others’ needs remain undisclosed.
The type of hospitality that we are to exhibit as disciples of Christ reveals the value of honoring those whose dignity is frequently denied by those who assume that respect is reserved exclusively for people with the capacity for reciprocity. In other words, invitations to participate in a meal or to engage in conversation are often extended to those who do not need assistance to secure food or to those who are not lonely. When Jesus visits the home of the Pharisee, he instructs his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (Luke 14:12-14).
As those who hope to learn and apply the lessons of Jesus, we extend ourselves to those who are unable to acquire basic necessities such as nutrition, adequate shelter, healthcare, education or income. John Wesley noted “One great reason why the rich in general have so little sympathy for the poor is because they so seldom visit them. Hence it is that one part of the world does not know what the other suffers. Many of them do not know, because they do not care to know: they keep out of the way of knowing it – and then plead their voluntary ignorance as an excuse for their hardness of heart.” As Jesus travelled and encountered people who were marginalized, he invited them to be healed, restored, liberated or forgiven. Although it may be intimidating to encounter people with enormous needs, God grants us courage and wisdom to recognize occasions in which we can function as instruments of God’s mercy through our acts of compassion and justice.
Hopefully, our continued focus on discipleship and hospitality is helping you to think more carefully about the ways you feel led to welcome those who you do not know who are participating in the ministries of the church. From Sunday morning worship to Wednesday evening meals and each encounter inside and outside the church, we hope that you will demonstrate courageous hospitality. Greet someone new at church to help them feel welcomed and, during a subsequent encounter, introduce them to someone else at the church to help them expand the network of people to whom they are beginning to be connected. For some, the first step in overcoming the burden of loneliness, doubt, frustration, fear or anger is being introduced to another member of the church. Remember how much you appreciated the kindness of others when you first visited the church and were introduced to one of the members.
Hospitality communicates the welcome of Christ, the presence of Christ and the peace of Christ. We are looking forward to seeing you in warship and around the church.
In Christ,
Jon McCoy
