Our devotions this Lenten season have been written by members of Faith Lutheran Church. Today’s devotion is by Lora Gough. Also, if you would like to join our staff in praying the liturgy for Responsive Prayer/Suffrages just click here.
Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” Hebrews 13:1-6
Inviting strangers into my home or inviting and sitting next to a homeless, and perhaps smelly, person in church is not something that I think I could do.
When Hurricane Katrina hit several years ago, thousands of people needed homes. I thought about opening the small room attached to my garage as shelter to some of these individuals, but I didn’t do it. I guess I was afraid of the unknown. Radical hospitality is scary.
Looking at Hebrews 13:1-3 reminds me that I must love and treat everyone as a brother or sister ignoring any fearful consequences. I need to look beyond myself. Who would help me if I were homeless or hungry?
As an optional assignment in a class in college, my professor asked us to spend a day downtown on the streets begging. We were told to not bathe for a number of days and dress in ragged attire. I don’t know if anyone accepted this assignment but I still remember how vulnerable it made me feel.
I have never been homeless or in prison, but perhaps trying it out for a day or two would change my perspective and make me more empathetic.
Let us pray: Dear Lord, help me to filter my thoughts through the minds of others who are penniless or destitute. Help me to open my mind and heart in ways that I have not been comfortable with in the past, so I can love others as a brother or sister. Amen.
Daily Devotions 
March 1, 2013 at 5:40 pm |
Everyone should see the movie “The Human Experience” about 4 young men who live in St. Francis House in New York City. All come from a dysfunctional background. They decide to involve themselves in the lives of others including the homeless in NYC – they spend 1 week sleeping and living with the homeless. They also travel to Peru to work with disabled children and to a leper colony in Ghana, Africa. A must see.
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