I have been searching far and wide for this particular bit of scripture. I can't recall when I first heard it, but it stayed with me, sans the scriptural address. So, I Googled these words: Angels + Hospitality. Among the list of hits was http://bible.cc/, a very cool resource of verses from nearly every version of the Bible and in more languages than I have time to count. Check it out. And, digging deeper into the Google results list I found a new resource for daily inspiration: http://www.upperroom.org/daily/?m=200708. While this is a Christian, (not Catholic) site, it follows the common lectionary and includes quotes from magazines and books published by Upper Room. Quite good, but I digress...
Hebrews 13:2 speaks loudly and clearly about being in the present moment--having full awareness in welcoming. When we think of the word hospitality, images of hotels and restaurants appear --with waiters eager to serve. And yet, hospitality means so much more than making someone comfortable and offering refreshment. It is far more than being greeted with a smile and a handshake, although we know these gestures communicate that our presence is welcome.
Hospitality means that regardless of familiarity, appearance, available space, invitation (or lack thereof), we must always present a welcoming face to each person we meet. Angels or not, we are all God's children, loved equally and wholly, and perhaps connected by the heavenly filament of Angelic song. Let us greet one another that way.
Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.
--Hebrews 13:2
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I would only hope that this parish and all others would not consider those with disabilities of any kind to be less than welcome. Too often we who are able bodied and ably-developed forget that nearly 20% of all Americans have a disability. How do we show our hospitality to all of these who are equally God's children?
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