Entertaining Angels

DAILY BYTE

We say that we want to become a people who are hospitable – that hospitality is a Christian value. So, if we say this, we need to take some daring steps toward opening our doors wider to welcome others. In her book, Just Hospitality: God’s Welcome in a World of Difference, Letty Russell says that the “basis of this practice of hospitality is that we were once strangers, exiles, and nobodies and are now welcomed by God so that we might welcome others.”

God welcomed us and in doing so, God teaches us to share the same welcome with other people.

Take a good look at your life and the people around you and ask yourself, who do I need to offer to stay with me – maybe not literally stay in your home, but who might God be asking you to welcome, spend some time with, eat with, be with in life – so that you can learn from the resurrected Christ in them.

And so that they can show you more of who you truly are.

Hebrews says that strangers in our lives have often turned out to be angels, and that when we welcome them, often we welcome God’s surprising presence and work in our midst. Who might the angels be for us that we are entertaining unawares?

Sarah and Abraham entertained some strangers who told them they would become parents in their old ages – parents of a nation! Jacob wrestled and spoke with a stranger, receiving a new name, Israel, and a new life soon after, reconciled with his brother. Mary Magdalene entertained a stranger by the Garden Tomb who turned out to be Jesus Christ.

What opportunities to entertain angels might you be overlooking? It may be awkward. It may not mean that we conform to all our social norms. But, we may, just may, find that when we spend our lives welcoming strangers who are different from ourselves, we realize we’re actually talking to Jesus.

FOCUS READING

Hebrews 13:1-3 (NRSV)

Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured.

PRAY AS YOU GO

Jesus, before we judge others, reject them, ignore them, or snub them in any way, teach us to look for your face in theirs, hear your voice in theirs, and share your love with them. Amen.