The Virtue of Hospitality

 

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. (Hebrews 13:1-3 ESV).

 

Today we look at the virtue of hospitality, which is often misunderstood. It is the practice of being genuinely generous, open, and welcoming to guests, strangers, and those in need, extending beyond mere comfort to include attentiveness to their emotional and spiritual well-being. It is a spiritual practice rooted in love, kindness, and a recognition of shared humanity, fostering community and reflecting God's own grace and mercy. Key aspects include letting go of self-preoccupation, embracing vulnerability, and showing genuine interest in others to foster their own well-being and discover new perspectives. 

 

When this passage in Hebrews was written, people were expected to show generous hospitality to travelers who might have nowhere else to stay as they went from town to town. It wasn’t as if people could hop on one of the many booking sites and find a room for the night! So, the writer of this letter uges believers in God to show love and care for one another as well for others who may be in need, such as strangers, travelers, and people in prison. This advice echoes the words of Jesus in Matthew 25, where he teaches that caring for the needs of others is like doing the same for him.

 

This passage in Hebrews also invites us to consider that a stranger or visitor we encounter might be an angel—that is, a messenger from God (cf. Genesis 18). The point is that we should treat anyone we meet as being so valuable and worthy of our time that they might be sent from God, and that showing love and care to them would be like doing the same for the Lord himself. This can be hard to imagine, especially if hospitality is not common in our culture and we need to be wary of danger. But here the Spirit of God is challenging us simply to treat others well, showing love and kindness to everyone, no matter who they are. In other words, we are called to love and care for others just as the Lord has done for us.

 

I wonder what our world would look like if we actually did that!