We set the figurines of the Holy Parents in a spot of honor under our small tree.
I've been thinking about what it means to practice REAL , and RADICAL hospitality. How good are we Christ-followers at practicing real hospitality?
Think about it for a minute:
If a young , poor expectant couple came knocking on yours or my door seeking help, how would we react? Would we invite the young couple in for a cup of tea or coffee and ask them if they are hungry? Would we offer them a place to sleep for the night?
Or would we call the police...or " take matters into our own hands".
The sort of hospitality that Jesus asks us to practice is not about setting a nice meal for our friends from similar backgrounds, ethnicity's or lifestyles.
What if the young couple who knocks on our "door" is of another race? What if the don't speak English at all? Or what if said couple is comprised of two men or two women? What if the couple had with them a child {or adult} with special medical needs?
" Sorry, there is no room at this inn for you. You don't look like me or my neighbors. You smell yucky. Are you even married? Your type isn't wanted here. . Go away before I call the police."
Let me be clear: I am not necessarily speaking about a literal couple knocking on the door of our literal homes. Rather I am talking about how we behave when encountered by such strangers who, for whatever reason, put us ill-at-ease.
How would we react? How DO we react? More importantly, how does Our Lord Jesus Christ expect us to act?
Are we supposed to extend the peace of Our Lord to those with whom we share commonalities? Who is welcome to join our fellowship? Are we " Instruments of God's peace " or are we gatekeepers with a power-hungry complex? Do we find joy in trying hard to keep out those who are different from ourselves and from most of our social circles?
Scripture tells us that He ate with strangers of all types --ESPECIALLY those whom, in first-century Judea, were pretty much " untouchables". he healed on the Sabbath. he let a Samaritan woman touch him. He set a small child on His lap as an example to the type of faith the adults present should possess.
Jesus did not turn away strangers , or people " not like Him." If He is our Lord, shouldn't we follow His example and also welcome others?
Amen.
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