by Barbie Fischer
Hospitality is a word used often in church, yet, how often do we stop to contemplate what it really means to be hospitable? The Greek word translated to hospitality in the Bible is philoxenia, literally: love the stranger — philo meaning love and xenia stranger. How do we love the stranger? Is it simply sharing a meal, or acting kindly?
Henri Nouwen states in Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life,
“Hospitality means primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place. It is not to bring men and women over to our side, but to offer freedom not disturbed by dividing lines.”
Over the next several months, Intersectings will be diving into biblical and everyday stories of hospitality. Digging into the story of the good Samaritan, Rahab and the spies, Abraham and Sarah with the angel of the Lord, and many others. The goal is to explore and uncover what it means to truly be hospitable as Franconia Conference strives to be a place of Christ-centered hospitality, a space where change can take place, and lives transformed for the Lord.
You are welcome to join in on this conversation. Submit your stories of hospitality, reflections and thought on your favorite biblical story on hospitality, or questions you wish to explore to BFischer@FranconiaConference.org.
The opinions expressed in articles posted on Mosaic’s website are those of the author and may not reflect the official policy of Mosaic Conference. Mosaic is a large conference, crossing ethnicities, geographies, generations, theologies, and politics. Each person can only speak for themselves; no one can represent “the conference.” May God give us the grace to hear what the Spirit is speaking to us through people with whom we disagree and the humility and courage to love one another even when those disagreements can’t be bridged.