Spirit of Hospitality

“Whoever receives you receives me,

and whoever receives me

receives the one who sent me.”

Matthew 10:40

What does it mean to be hospitable or to be a good host? Am I kind to people because they have been kind to me or because I know they will be kind back? Am I generous with someone because I know they have the capability and means to pay me back? A true spirit of giving and hospitality is one that consists of no other intent than to give. Meaning if I am doing something for an ulterior motive then I am doing it for the wrong reason. I can think of so many times when I do something, yes at face value I am doing it simply because I know it’s the right thing to do, but deep down I hope for something in return.

If we are really to do something for someone then we really should not expect or even want anything in return. It is easier to be generous and kind to someone we know or like, but it’s not as easy when it comes to someone we do not really like. But we must treat them with the same amount of generosity and love as those whom we like. When we treat those who are unkind to us with love and generosity we are treating Jesus with love and generosity. I once heard someone say, “You only love Jesus as much as you love the person you love least.” Wow. That means I only love Jesus as much as I love the person that drives me crazy and who I rather not need to see or deal with. We are all created in God’s image and likeness, no matter how much we like or dislike them. So we must treat everyone with a spirit of disinterested or pure hospitality and generosity. May we ask the Father for the grace of humility and a heart that is willing to love both friend and foe.

Prayer Matters

Sometimes people ask me “Does prayer work?” I always say “Yes, it does.” Prayer matters. Prayer is our relationship with God and anything and everything we say to Him and bring to Him matters. We often hear people say “pray for me” or “pray for me mother” or something similar. There’s something inside our hearts that know that it means something when we ask others to pray for us.  In essence we are really asking to be a part of a relationship, a loving relationship together with God. The Roman centurion went to Jesus when his servant was dying. Though he was not a professed believer he believed in the healing power of Christ. How did he know? He must have asked around and heard people talking about Jesus. But it was time for him to find out for himself. When he brought his plea and request before the Lord, Jesus simply said “I will go and heal him.”  The centurion didn’t really even ask with words, but Jesus knew. Jesus saw his heart and He knew.

Prayers work. Whether for ourselves or for others. When we pray for others, I think it is especially special and powerful because we are bringing someone into our relationship with God, sharing that great love God has for us. When we pray, we do not necessarily need to know the right words to say. We say what is on our hearts and Jesus will be able to see that. God sees the heart and will come to us when we meet Him there. So, I believe that prayer matters. Do you?  

Being Made Clean

What are some of the wounds that hurt you badly and that affect you greatly? What are some things you are holding on to that brings you pain? A strained relationship? Unforgivness? Resentment? Betrayal? Whatever it is, Jesus is looking intently into your eyes now. Lay all those hurts before Him. Tell Him that you do want to be made clean, that you do not want these things to hold you down and keep you from living fully any longer. Say it, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean. I know you did not will it for me to be hurt for you only will my good. Whatever it is that is causing me pain, teach me Lord to find meaning in it and teach me to unite it with You on the Cross. I ask you to heal me and to make me clean. I know this does not mean you will take away the pain, but that you will bring healing to those hurting parts of my life.” Now, Jesus stretches His hands out towards you, touches you, embraces you, and stands up with you, “I will do it. Be made clean.”