Celia Stone: Hospitality is a practice worth reviving

Chances are that when you are walking down the busiest part of Main Street in any southern town, you will be greeted cheerfully, even by people you don’t know. If you’re an adult, others might call you “ma’am” or “sir.”

These practices still are considered charming and polite by most of us. It used to be more typical in days past that neighbors would sit together on the porch and socialize or regular churchgoers would invite visitors over for lunch after worship. Several writers of New Testament epistles had something to say about hospitality.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12:12-13.

“Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” Hebrews 13:1-3.

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:8-10.

“Dear friend, you are faithful in what you are doing for the brothers and sisters, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church about your love. Please send them on their way in a manner that honors God. It was for the sake of the name that they went out, receiving no help from the pagans. We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.” 3 John 1:5-8.

In a society where many are increasingly searching for meaningful connections and personal interaction, we can provide sincere friendship.

Our food and homes don’t have to be perfect. We probably would be surprised at how much a simple invitation could mean. If we couldn’t be host or hostess, we might initiate meeting at a park for a bag lunch or taking someone out for coffee.

In God’s priorities, hospitality is a practice worth reviving.