Today is June 1.
The fourth day after PENTECOST Sunday.
Grace to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”
This week, our reflections are centering on Pentecost, and considering how God’s love for the all the nations is demonstrated throughout scripture.
Today there are two readings: first from Leviticus 19, and second, from Hebrews 13. As we continue our reflections on Pentecost, we’ll take today to consider that God’s spirit compelled the early church to break down common divisions like us vs them, foreigner, or immigrant
First, a reading from Leviticus 19
33 “‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them.34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
Second, a reading from Hebrews 13
"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it"
In the Hebrews text the Greek word for hospitality is philo-xenia, and literally means “love of strangers,” or “friend to strangers”. In Leviticus, we hear God’s command to love the immigrant ‘as we love ourselves’. The outward pull of the gospel that we’ve been reflecting on this week is empowered by the Spirit, but it’s motivated by love. God so loved that he did what? He sent...
He took action... He drew near. Listen to these two scriptures again, and consider how both passages link something sacred with being hospitable.
First, a reading from Leviticus 19
33 “‘When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them.34 The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
Second, a reading from Hebrews 13
"Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it"
Loving the other, showing hospitality, welcoming the immigrant, being sent to the nations... all of these are things that seem good to many of us, at least in theory. But it’s clear, looking at the world around us, that this is not as easy as it sounds. Can you reflect, as we end – not on what you value about these ideas, but how you put them into practice? Or perhaps, you don’t, and you want to ask God to help you learn to be missional and hospitable?
Music Credit:
No Longer Strangers - Vineyard Soul (YouTube)
