Recently, we entertained friends from Jerusalem in our home. They work and teach in Bethlehem. We had a joyous time eating together, sharing stories and remembering happy times in the land.
My initial emotion was one of gratitude. I was happy for the chance to return hospitality for hospitality shown to us by them. Our friends, like many in the land, are gracious and generous people. In Israel and Palestine, hospitality is highly valued as in biblical times.
In the time of Jesus, five acts of hospitality were expected in welcoming the stranger. They were the offering of a cup of water, the provision of a meal, the washing of feet, the anointing of the head, and the greeting with a kiss. A breach in hospitality was a serious departure from custom.
During the course of our visit, I began entertaining some unsettling thoughts. While I was generous toward my friends, would I be equally so toward a stranger?
Hospitality in the scriptures focuses on the stranger. Jesus once challenged the disciples to love those who love you but not to stop there.
I am a native of Mississippi. Mississippi styles itself as "the hospitality state." If I must say so myself, we have a nice way of welcoming folks. But it has not always been that way. We have grown in our inclusion of friend and stranger.
Obviously, I am on this journey also. As I entertain friends, so I seek to welcome all.
No comments:
Post a Comment