The Road Devotional | Lent 2024

“Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink, or a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you, or sick or in prison and go to visit you?” --Matthew 25:37-38

When pastor Andre Trocme was once asked why he inspired an. entire French village to risk giving shelter to Jews during WWII, he replied simply: “I could not bear to be separated from Jesus.”

Some Questions for Self Reflection

What is the essence of hospitality for you? Write down your own definition.

What do you think the most important ingredients of hospitality are?

“Hospitality means letting the stranger remain a stranger while offering hospitality nonetheless. It means honoring the fact that strangers already have a relationship--rooted in our common humanity---without having to build one on intimate interpersonal knowledge, without having to become friends.” --Parker Palmer

Hospitality at Home

• Genuinely be present with your family by giving your undivided attention to them. When they talk, actively listen to them. 
• Compliment one another often. Include laughter, play, and joy as often as possible in your families normal routine. Make it a normal part of your family. 
• Experiment with ways of inclusively welcoming others into your family. This could be inviting a small group in, having some friends become like family members, etc....

Hospitality in our Neighborhood

• Explore how you can make your neighborhood a welcoming place for all people. Then give of your time to help make this happen. 
• Make the effort to acquaint yourself with your neighbors. Canvass your neighborhood for an “inventory of talents,” and then match them with the needs others express. 
• Nurture social awareness, fight suspicion. 

Hospitality in the Workplace

• Listen openly for others’ ideas, concerns, and critiques. Give them your attention while they speak. 
• Help create a welcoming and comfortable work space, especially for those who are newer to the place. 
• Honor appropriate boundaries, and overly communicate yours. 
• Build an environment of trust and credibility. 

Hospitality at COS

• Make it a point to avoid cliques by opening yourself to meeting others you don’t recognize. 
• Support and encourage one another to take next steps. 
• Invite. Invite. and Invite. 
• Be mindful of who might not feel included or comfortable here, and how you can make a difference.