The heart of hospitality
Yesterday morning we came to the end of our autumn series The Heart of Hospitality.
My hope was that it would be a two-fold encouragement for us: first, in who we are as a church with a gift for hospitality; and second in how we might grow in that gift. And I think both of those have happened!
Some of you have shared with me how looking at hospitality has helped you realise how it is so much more than having people over for a meal. Others of you have been really challenged to step out of where we are comfortable – and I’m really pleased by both of those things!
We’ve seen how God shows hospitality to his people, demonstrating and inspiring us to show the same love and care to others – no matter what the cost.
We’ve seen how God’s hospitality isn’t simply giving but also inviting – inviting us to ‘come and eat’ with him: in other words, to be in a close relationship with him.
We’ve seen how as we respond to his invitation and receive hospitality from God, so our life can be transformed – giving us the power and strength to love others, even those we might consider enemies.
As I sat down this morning to write this reflection, those two words – receiving and inviting – stood out to me from the past few weeks thinking about hospitality. They are part of the biblical rhythm of discipleship: coming to Jesus and going with Jesus, breathing in the Spirit and breathing out God’s praise, receiving all God gives us and inviting others to share in it too.
As we approach Christmas – yes, Advent Sunday is in six days’ time! – I’d love those two words from our hospitality series – receiving and inviting – to be part of our Advent rhythm this year.
There’s a question Jesus asks a blind man on his way to Jericho: ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ (Mark 10.51). What do you want to receive from God this Christmas? Prayer is a mysterious thing – I can’t pretend to understand it – but I do know at least two things the Bible teaches us about prayer. First, Jesus calls us to be persistent in prayer, to not give up (Luke 18.1). Second, the psalms are full of emotion and requests – good and bad – being poured out to God. He can take it!
So this Advent let’s be persistent in prayer. But also, let’s be courageous in invitation. Christmas gives many opportunities to invite people to come and see – and hopefully meet – Jesus for themselves. And the most important thing about inviting someone is not finding the right words to say, but laying a foundation of persistent prayer for them beforehand. Some of you have been praying for loved ones for many years – let’s keep going! Some of you need to start praying for them – let’s get going!
This Advent let’s remember those two important parts of our hospitality series: receiving all God gives us at his table, that we might invite others to share in it too.
Revd Ben Green – Vicar