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<\/a>Imitate Abraham\u2019s hospitality<\/strong><\/p>\nSt<\/em>. John Chrysostom \u00a0tells his flock to look actively for opportunities to h<\/em>elp\u00a0<\/em>st<\/em>r<\/em>ange<\/em>r<\/em>s or foreigners in need\u2014not \u00a0only for the benefit of \u00a0the strangers, <\/em>b<\/em>ut <\/em>ev<\/em>e<\/em>n more for their own benefit. By seeking out strangers, Abraham \u00a0<\/em>enter<\/em>ta<\/em>ined <\/em>a<\/em>ngel<\/em>s<\/em>.<\/em><\/p>\n The patriarch didn\u2019t know that he was entertaining angels, but he entertained them. We should be ashamed of ourselves!<\/p>\n 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\u2014for he was a citizen of Heaven. For that reason he wasn\u2019t really a stranger to God, even when he was on earth. We\u2019re more strangers than he was if we don\u2019t 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\u2014both 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\u2019s worse than not having welcomed him at all!<\/p>\n \u201cBut we\u2019re not in a foreign land,\u201d 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\u2019t want to take them into your houses, at least give them what they need.<\/p>\n \u201cDoesn\u2019t the Church have what it takes to do that?\u201d you ask. Yes\u2014but what good does that do you? Can it benefit you if strangers are fed from the Church\u2019s funds? If someone else prays, does that mean you don\u2019t have to pray? Why don\u2019t you just go ahead and say, \u201cDon\u2019t the priests pray? Then why should I pray?\u201d<\/p>\n \u2013St. John Chrysostom, Homily 45 on Acts<\/em><\/p>\n IN GOD\u2019S PRESENCE, CONSIDER . . .<\/strong><\/p>\n 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?<\/p>\n CLOSING PRAYER<\/strong><\/p>\n Lord, <\/em>I beseech the protection of your angels for all the strangers in our midst.<\/em><\/p>\n _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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