In Romans 12:13, St. Paul says, “When God's people are in
need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.” (NLT)
That is a seemingly simple concept, isn’t it? Help those in need and practice
hospitality. Hospitality encompasses a sense of welcome, warmth, openness,
friendliness, and generosity. How hard can that be?
In the RSV translation, we are urged to go a step further with
our hospitality and offer it “to strangers”. We are to reach out beyond our
comfort zone to welcome those who we may not know, and even those who might be
‘different’. Sometimes that’s a little harder. 
This past weekend, I heard a speaker talk about how we offer
‘service’, a type of hospitality. She noted that there are studies that have
shown that serving one another is good for our health! Service can raises our
self-esteem and self-confidence. She noted that Mother Teresa was interviewed
by Paul Wright for his book Mother Teresa’s Prescription. He wanted to know how she kept on giving and giving
of herself. She finally granted an interview and shared her “prescription” of 10
things*. 2. Reverence for all human life
3. Compassion and love
4. Contentment and gratitude
5. Faith
6. Humility
7. Tolerance
8. Patience
9. Forgiveness
10. Honesty
These are, perhaps not surprisingly, similar to what Paul is
telling the Roman community. In verse 13 he encourages helping ‘the saints’
(those in the community). When he says ‘extend hospitality to strangers’, he is
asking us to show a reverence for all humanity. Earlier Paul’s words about holding
fast to the good and honoring each other fulfill Mother Teresa’s guideline of
compassion and love. He says to ‘rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering,
ardent in prayer’ (as we looked at last week). Mother Teresa suggests that an
attitude of contentment and gratitude along with faith must be the hallmark of
a servant leader.
We will get to humility, tolerance, and forgiveness over the
next couple of weeks. Mother Teresa and Paul both wrap up all their
instructions in genuine or honest love.
How then do we find what fits us as a way to ‘contribute to
the needs of the saints [and] extend hospitality’? Not all of us are wealthy
and can support the cause of our choice with mounds of money and not everyone
is equipped or able to go out into the community to ‘do’ service.
The speaker last weekend suggested we should each start in
the areas we feel most connected. Are you interested in helping children, or
the aged, or the ill, or… (fill in the blank). There is information in your community
and maybe even your church to help you get connected. Schools, shelters, and
nearly all volunteer programs are looking for help. She did note that many now
require background checks, so don’t be offended by that.
If you cannot get out and actively help, even a couple of
dollars is helpful to nearly every charity and church, so don’t think that
because you cannot fund a hospital wing that you cannot ‘contribute to the
needs’. I’m sure many, if not all, who read this are already active in helping
in your community and I commend you for it. If you are looking for something
new, consider Paul’s and Mother Teresa’s guidelines as you look around.
Next time, we’ll consider empathy toward all-what Mother
Teresa labeled as tolerance. * You can see the entire section of the talk about Mother Teresa here.
