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In 1 Peter 4, we hear, “Be hospitable to one another without complaining.” Hospitality is other-centered, being open to the possibility of our lives being disrupted at a moment’s notice to follow God’s will. Growing in faith involves accepting God's disconcerting surprises.

In Webster's dictionary, the word "hospitable" is wedged in between "hospice," which means shelter, and "hospital," which means a center of healing. We could say then that hospitality suggests both a place of shelter and healing. That’s what Joseph chose, and so should we.

Ideally, hospitality means to make individuals a part of our family, to make them aware that we accept them totally and are concerned about their needs and difficulties, even when they are amongst those we don’t really feel like being hospitable to. We remember the words of Jesus: "Whatever you do to the least of these, you do to me."

Most times, we feel like we’re pretty hospitable, but we need to make sure that we’re not conflating (confusing) hospitality and entertaining. I saw a commentary that was pretty harsh on the idea of entertaining, calling it “Satan’s counterfeit” for hospitality.

The counterfeit says, "Come to my house. Enjoy the scrumptious food that has taken me all week to prepare. See how perfectly tidy and clean my house is. Check out my latest gadgets and this antique table that I refinished. And while you’re there, I’ll spend the two hours that we’re together telling you how I acquired all my wonderful possessions. Know anyone like that?

Genuine hospitality says instead, “Come into my home, and be a part of my family. My house isn’t 100% tidy – forgive our mess, the grandkid’s toys on the floor and, oh, I haven’t had time to clean the dinner dishes, but you are still welcome. In fact, you don’t need to come to me – I’ll come to you – or let’s go have lunch someplace.”

Hospitality says further, “We don’t need to talk about me. Tell me about your grandkids, and the challenges you have. I want to be your friend.”

By definition, we practice hospitality. We can never really master it. We get better at it as we work at it, as we get better at emptying ourselves out, as we get better at seeing Jesus in others, being other centered.

Hospitality is not a ministry that were we can say, “I’m not gifted in that, so my stewardship will have to come from some other form of ministry.” What if everyone would say that? What would have happened if Joseph said, “Mary, I’d like to help you, but I can’t afford the risk- you’re on your own?”

Think of all the people who have practiced hospitality on you? Where would you be without them? How are our younger generation going to learn hospitality if we don’t model it for them? They have a tough enough time having actual conversations on the phone let alone being able to say to others, “Why don’t we get together for lunch?,” “Tell me how things are going?” “Is there anything I can be doing to help you?” “Would you like to join us for a gathering that we’re having at church?”

Practicing hospitality is an important part of practicing our faith. To grow stronger in faith, we need to open our eyes to the opportunities that we’re gifted with to welcome others, to receive them into our sphere, or go meet them where they are. We pray to Jesus that he will call upon us to open more doors for others, and that we will be equal to the task to receive others just as we would receive Jesus himself.

-Good News Ministries

                                                 Memory Lane!            

This week we are looking back on churches in the Diocese of Pittsburgh that have been closed or repurposed. What rich history we have of beautiful churches!