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Hospitality – Lectio Divina

September 1, 2013 By Jean Wise

Let mutual love continue.

Do not neglect to show hospitality to stranger,

for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Hebrews 13: 1-2



 Hospitality

Lord, when you assigned gifts to people sealing them with your fingerprints and planting them deep within our souls, did you forget to give me the hospitality gene?
Of all the love I see in others, the gift of welcoming others as Christ lies dormant. Is that seed even there or have I neglected it? I really don’t know.
I am ashamed that I don’t even see the opportunities when faced directly with the chance to offer my warmth to a stranger or even a hurting friend.
I tend to be critical and unaccommodating to others.
I need you to open my hand and my heart.
Drenched the dried up hospitality kernel in my soul with your life giving water.
Nudge me out of my self-centered focus and help me see Christ in others.
Lord, Henri Nouwen once wrote that hospitality is creating the space where a stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy.
Form that space within me, Lord.
Carve that room in my heart.
Clean out my house cluttered with ego, jealousy and nit-picking judgment of others.
I want to be hospitable to those you bring across my path. Kindle your welcoming love within me, Lord.
May I no longer neglect to show hospitality to the Christ within others.

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Filed Under: lectio divina, spiritual practices

Comments

  1. blankJean Wise says

    September 3, 2013 at 1:04 am

    so true with small steps. Interesting observation you make about struggling with hospitality and a by product of our independence. I think you are onto something there. I will pray about that….

  2. blankJean Wise says

    September 3, 2013 at 1:02 am

    Hi Lisa, Thanks for your kinds words. Good to know I am not the only one struggling with this gift

  3. blankJean Wise says

    September 3, 2013 at 1:01 am

    I think when I frame hospitality as creating a space for the other it sounds less like another to do on my to do list. Thanks for hosting Sunday Stillness.!!

  4. blankHugmomma says

    September 3, 2013 at 12:18 am

    I think it is a byproduct of our independence = successful culture. Being more open is something I am getting used to. When I initially tried to become a more welcoming and hospitable person, I went too far with some negative results of unhealthy relationships, which resulted in trying to correct ( even yuckier !) Small steps, Jesus led.

  5. blankLisa notes... says

    September 2, 2013 at 7:45 pm

    I long to be more hospitable too. These are encouraging words.

    I pray this for myself as well:
    “Clean out my house cluttered with ego, jealousy and nit-picking judgment of others.”

  6. blankJanis Cox says

    September 2, 2013 at 4:09 pm

    Yes, that is something I need to stop my “doing” to “do”. Thanks for the reminder and for linking to Sunday Stillness.
    Blessings,
    Janis http://www.janiscox.com

  7. blankJean Wise says

    September 1, 2013 at 11:32 pm

    Hi Laura, thanks for stopping by today and leaving a comment. I love that Nouwen definition.

  8. blankJean Wise says

    September 1, 2013 at 11:31 pm

    Thanks Ceil Blessings on your Labor Day weekend!

  9. blankOutnumberedMom says

    September 1, 2013 at 10:04 pm

    Create that space in me! Every day.
    (Reminds me a little of Pearl…and those who ministered to my characters.)

  10. blankCeil says

    September 1, 2013 at 7:30 pm

    Hi Jean! I love this prayer you wrote. I am currently housing my brother and his son for the weekend (they are golfing right now). It can get loud, or tiring, but I’m happy they’re here.

    Sometimes its just too easy to get tired and cranky. I’d love to be more welcoming. “Welcoming Love”. That’s beautiful.

    Happy holiday weekend!
    Ceil

Healthy Spirituality – a sacred space to nurture your faith, grow closer to God, and belong to a community, walking together on life’s journey. This blog is written by author, speaker and retreat leader Jean Wise

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