蜜芽传媒

Spiritual reflection to start the day with Rev Richard Frazer of the Church of Scotland.

Good morning.
We often talk about welcoming people into the faith community of which we might be part. Sometimes, though, if you are a stranger and unfamiliar, a new place can be quite intimidating.
There鈥檚 a big difference between friendliness and the deep spiritual meaning of hospitality. In my experience as a minister, I have tried to understand the difference between friendliness and hospitality over the years. A common response in a congregation is to say, 鈥淲e are a friendly congregation, all are welcome鈥�. And it has often felt to me, however, that friendliness is not quite enough, it misses the true depth of the meaning of hospitality.

Hospitality transforms the giver. I鈥檝e constantly been enriched and challenged and surprised by the gifts and insights that I have been given by those whose habits, beliefs and practices are different from what I have been used to.

In the pilgrimage of faith there is always more to learn about life, meaning and mystery than what we currently know and believe. There are no full stops in the pilgrimage of faith and there are constant possibilities for spiritual growth waiting to be uncovered. The practice of hospitality does as much for those who offer it as those who receive it. As Paul said, 鈥榖e ye transformed by the renewing of your mind鈥�.

An old Celtic Rune declares, 鈥極ften, often, often, Christ comes in the stranger鈥檚 guise鈥�.
Great Love, Teach us the blessing of hospitality that shows us we often have more to receive than to give if we welcome the stranger with an open and humble heart. Amen.