Imitate Abraham’s hospitality; Angels: Day 080

Imitate Abraham’s hospitality

St. John Chrysostom  tells his flock to look actively for opportunities to help strangers or foreigners in need—not  only for the benefit of  the strangers, but even more for their own benefit. By seeking out strangers, Abraham  entertained angels.

The patriarch didn’t know that he was entertaining angels, but he entertained them. We should be ashamed of ourselves!

There he was sitting at midday in a foreign land, where he had no property, not so much as to set his foot on. He was a stranger. And as a stranger, he entertained strangers—for he was a citizen of Heaven. For that reason he wasn’t really a stranger to God, even when he was on earth. We’re more strangers than he was if we don’t welcome strangers. He had no home, but his tent was a place of hospitality. Look how generous he is: he killed a calf, and kneaded fine flour. Look how quick-minded he is—both he and his wife. See his unassuming manner: he shows them respect and pleads with them. Anyone who entertains strangers should have these qualities: readiness, cheerfulness, generosity. For the soul of the stranger is embarrassed, and feels ashamed. Unless his host shows excessive joy, he feels slighted and goes away. That’s worse than not having welcomed him at all!

“But we’re not in a foreign land,” you say. But we can still imitate him if we want to. How many Christians are strangers? There is a common apartment, the Church, which is the house of strangers. Be inquisitive. Sit in front of the doors, and welcome those who come yourselves. If you don’t want to take them into your houses, at least give them what they need.

“Doesn’t the Church have what it takes to do that?” you ask. Yes—but what good does that do you? Can it benefit you if strangers are fed from the Church’s funds? If someone else prays, does that mean you don’t have to pray? Why don’t you just go ahead and say, “Don’t the priests pray? Then why should I pray?”

–St. John Chrysostom, Homily 45 on Acts

IN GOD’S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .

What opportunities have I missed lately to help strangers or visitors in need? How would I have changed my behavior if I had remembered the story of Abraham and the strangers?

CLOSING PRAYER

Lord, I beseech the protection of your angels for all the strangers in our midst.

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