Julia Clodius Cooke (Missouri, USA)
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. - Hebrews 13:2 (NIV)
When I was a child, a family trip to my godparents’ house for the weekend was always a treat. My family lived in a crowded suburb, so the retreat to their very small town was an opportunity to explore freely and greet everyone openly.
The house itself was 100 years old, and the rooms seemed huge compared to our two-bedroom, post-war bungalow. The kitchen featured a large wooden table that managed to accommodate anyone who stopped by. Neighbors felt comfortable letting themselves in — sometimes cutting through the house instead of walking around the block — knowing the doors were never locked and coffee was always on. It was a home built upon hospitality and the grace of God.
Like our own homes, our houses of worship come in many styles and sizes — from grand cathedrals to one-room chapels. They are all created as a gathering place for those who love God, where we can enjoy the fellowship of the faithful, praise God, and gain strength and solace in times of trial. Jesus asked us to serve everyone with generous love, hope, forgiveness, and grace as members of the family of God. When we do, our own faith is recharged, preparing us for sharing God’s love when we leave.
I will seek ways to live out the faith I practice in church.
To practice hospitality
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