Day 12

On Friday, I co-officiated a wedding of a lovely couple who now live in Washington, DC, but who have connections to Landenberg. It was a wonderful evening, full of the love of two families who were glowing at gaining a son and a daughter each.

At the rehearsal Thursday night, it dawned on me that I had to eat the entree I had ordered several weeks ago, when I wasn't even thinking of the fast. I wondered what I should do. Friday morning, one of the fasters asked what she should do when she was at her friend's house for the weekend. Her friend's mother cooks lovely meals - should she decline all that is offered or could she break her fast and eat what had been prepared?

Reflecting on these situations, God brought to mind the concept of hospitality. When we are offered hospitality - whether in the form of a home-cooked meal or a wedding entree - our response as followers of Jesus is to graciously accept with humility and gratitude. Hospitality is a gift, an offering of oneself to another. If the purpose of the fast is to become more Christ-like, then reveling in hospitality is on the path, because Jesus always accepted the gifts of another, whether it was expensive perfume poured out on his feet or a humble meal offered in the home of two sisters and their brother. As Christians, our calling in life is to offer, and graciously receive, hospitality. "Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it." - Hebrews 13:2


God of grace and full of love, we thank you for the many times you have offered us hospitality. Our spirits rest in the expanse of your love, our bodies are fed by the food of your hands, our gifts find rest when used for your purpose and your reign. You offer us this fast as a sign of hospitality, welcoming us into your presence in powerful and new ways. Lord, forgive us for the many times we turn away or ignore strangers, rather than welcoming with your love. Give us new eyes to see the stranger in our midst, and the heart of Christ to respond to him or her with Christ-like compassion and love. Infuse our community of faith with a passion for the least, the lonely and lost, that in the stranger, we will see the face of Christ. In his name we pray, Amen.