I doubt Martha speaks Greek, but if she did she would tell you that the word hospitality is Philos (loving) + Xenos (the stranger). Today, however, the word hospitality conjures thoughts of carefully planned menus, perfectly set tables, down pillows and comforters, thirsty towels and impeccable service. Somehow the act of welcoming the stranger has been redrawn to include only the people we invite into our homes or those we pay so we can stay in their hotels.
It is true that an enticing meal and comfortable sleeping arrangements are signs of being a good host. But Christian Hospitality, as Jay Voorhees, pastor of the Antioch United Methodist Church, writes in his blog http://onlywonder.com/, is "to understand that everyone who walks through the door is Jesus Christ. ... To offer hospitality here is to celebrate when some new person is sitting in “your pew,” to ignore the mud that is being tracked in on the carpet, and to be willing to do new things so that our guests may better know the love of Christ."
What are some new things that we at St. Thomas can do so that our guests may better know the love of Christ?
For starters we can make ready our hearts for the arrival of newcomers. One simple example is of the newcomer who enters without taking a worship aid. He or she might not know that we use them rather than a missalette. Perhaps if we see someone without one, we can offer them ours and return to the Host-Greeter for a replacement. This act of kindness not only shows our willingness to meet one another where we are, but our willingness to pray together.
What else can we do?
It is true that an enticing meal and comfortable sleeping arrangements are signs of being a good host. But Christian Hospitality, as Jay Voorhees, pastor of the Antioch United Methodist Church, writes in his blog http://onlywonder.com/, is "to understand that everyone who walks through the door is Jesus Christ. ... To offer hospitality here is to celebrate when some new person is sitting in “your pew,” to ignore the mud that is being tracked in on the carpet, and to be willing to do new things so that our guests may better know the love of Christ."
What are some new things that we at St. Thomas can do so that our guests may better know the love of Christ?
For starters we can make ready our hearts for the arrival of newcomers. One simple example is of the newcomer who enters without taking a worship aid. He or she might not know that we use them rather than a missalette. Perhaps if we see someone without one, we can offer them ours and return to the Host-Greeter for a replacement. This act of kindness not only shows our willingness to meet one another where we are, but our willingness to pray together.
What else can we do?
