But the word for “hospitality” in the Greek New Testament is philoxenos, meaning “love for the foreigner.” This exhortation in Hebrews stretches us in the same way as Jesus’ command to extend our love from the boundaries of ‘neighbour’ to include everyone, even foreigners and enemies.
Our text from Hebrews is obviously meant to remind us of another stranger’s blessing: when
angels of the Lord were given hospitality by Abraham and Sarah (Gen 18). In turn they were blessed with a child, despite their years, thus setting in motion the history of ‘the people of God’.
Many people in Australia have found themselves blessed through acts of hospitality to refugees and people seeking asylum. What may at first have been an act of charity or even pity has in fact been transformed as relationships grow, hearts are opened, and strangers become friends. Through this, people see the light of Christ in each other, and in turn they see that same light in themselves. What a blessing indeed!
Question: Have you ever experienced a feeling of being blessed through an act of
hospitality you have given to a stranger, however small?
Prayer: God who comes to us at times as a vulnerable stranger, we give thanks for the ways in which you bless our lives when we open our hearts and choose vulnerability over mistrust. Amen.
We are reading the Bible with Justin Whelan until 16 June.