Forgetting hospitality ?

"Do not forget hospitality ; because in practicing it, some, without their knowledge, have housed angels." Hebrews 13. 2

The way in which the Epistles exhortations are turned sometimes raises our question. The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews urges us to "not forget" hospitality. What can lead us to such an oversight ? The context of this short exhortation gives some indications.

- "Let brotherly love abide" (Heb 13. 1) : Inviting someone to your home when you do not particularly like it is certainly more difficult ! But love is above all a decision ; perhaps inviting a difficult brother, a painful sister or a family with whom we do not "hang on" will make them discover in another light and nourish our love for them.

- "Remember the prisoners" (Heb 13. 3): It is certainly difficult to invite someone who is in prison ! But in extending the meaning of the term, let us see around us those who, although seemingly free, are prisoners of loneliness, of a heavy past, of difficult living conditions; let's welcome them first.

- "Let marriage be held in honor" (Heb., 4: 4) : Receiving at home is not reserved for married couples and many singles are remarkable in this area. If we are married, a happy invitation will involve both of us, and we husbands do not have to limit ourselves to opening the bottle! Honor our marriage by opening our home, giving the example of mutual love and respect.

- "May your conduct be without greed" (Heb 13. 5): Invite costs in energy, but also in money. But what a beautiful use of the material goods that God gives us ! And it is not necessary to offer caviar for the invitation to be successful.

- The example must come from above : one of the requisite qualities of the conductors referred to above is hospitality (see 7, see also 1 Tim 3: 2). Receiving at home is a privileged way to "watch over souls", because it is more easily delivered around a table.

If hospitality is primarily directed towards the brothers and sisters of our acquaintance, it also extends to strangers unexpectedly invited, as the mention of angels in the rest of the verse suggests.

So let's not forget the hospitality - taking our calendar and our phone to set our next invitation and opening our heart and our home to those we receive.

Source (To please the Lord)