One of the things that I have missed the most during this time of social distancing due to Covid 19 is meeting in-person with my Bible study group. One of our group’s traditions is taking a meeting each month just for hospitality and fellowship. We take turns hosting our gathering in our homes. We have coffee and snacks, pray together, and simply enjoy being with each other. This focus on mutual hospitality and fellowship is just as important as our Scripture study, in my opinion. Hospitality is one of the four pillars of stewardship. True hospitality stems from the second part of the greatest commandment: to love your neighbors (cf Mark 12:33).
In today’s Mass readings, we hear about the importance of hospitality. First, we hear about the couple who received the blessing of a son because of the woman’s generous hospitality. You may remember the story of Abraham and Sarah caring for their visitors who promised the blessing of a son as a reward for their hospitality, despite their old age. Later we find out they were the Lord’s angels, and indeed their son, Isaac, was born a year (Genesis 18: 1-15, 21:1-8).
“Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.” -Hebrews 13:2
In our Gospel reading, Christ brings even more importance to the idea of hospitality. After He had commissioned His apostles to go out and preach the Gospel, He told them about the blessings that people who showed them hospitality would receive. He promised that anyone who shows hospitality toward them would receive Christ as well as God the Father: “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me” (Matthew 10:40).
“Hospitality” comes from the Greek word philoxenia: philo means love, and xenia meaning foreigner or stranger. In other words, love your neighbors, whoever they may be!
When you welcome someone into your home, rather than say, at a restaurant, you allow them to come into the place where you live. You share a different, more personal part of yourself. You can share stories differently, more intimately. Trust and kindredness grows. When you welcome your neighbors in Christ’s name, you also welcome and receive Him. When you welcome Christ into your heart, He blesses you with His life and love. You also come to trust and love Him more.
During this time of social distancing, it might be harder than before; however, we can be creative in how we show hospitality to our brothers and sisters in Christ. Who knows, you might even be unknowingly entertaining angels!
Here are some ideas and resources for practicing Christian hospitality, especially during this time of social distancing:
- Host a “socially distant social” – have just one couple or family over to enjoy time together. You can determine together what works best for your families. You could have a BBQ, play socially distant lawn games, enjoy drinks around your patio, or even make s’mores around a fire pit if you have one.
- Invite a friend or two to come over for morning coffee. If people feel more comfortable bringing their own coffee, that’s just fine! Sit outside on the patio if that makes everyone feel more comfortable.
- Host a “driveway party” – have a few friends come over to hang out in your driveway. Either provide chairs and refreshments or ask your guests to bring their own. Play some music and enjoy some time catching up.
- Check out the Turquoise Table initiative. The idea is to create connection and community by designating a picnic table in your front yard for neighbors to drop by and join you for a cup of coffee or a cold drink.
- If you’re not ready to have people at your home just yet, invite a friend to meet you at a park or even just to sit in your separate cars and chat.
- Send a welcome note to the new members of your church, especially those who just came into the faith this spring through the RCIA program.
- Host a virtual gathering: a Bible study, book club, coffee time, happy hour…
- Simply reach out to a friend on the phone, or seek out someone you know who could use a friendly voice.
- Here is a great article about The Art of Christian Hospitality.
- Here is another article for further reading: “Hospitality is Biblical–and It’s Not Optional.”