Hospitality
Hospitality is an ancient value. Legend has it the Hebrew prophet Elijah would wander about disguised as a beggar to test whether people would be hospitable or hostile. On one occasion, a rabbi turned him away, only to learn later that it was Elijah in disguise. The moral in the Hebrew tradition is that you should treat all strangers as though you are greeting the prophet.
At First Unitarian, our Vision begins with; Community is Inspired, Diversity is Celebrated... We recognize that true hospitality is a rare and precious thing in this world, and an essential part of who we aspire to be.
- Reflect on a time when you felt truly welcomed by a person, group, family, or church.
- Reflect on a time when you felt excluded, ignored, or unwelcomed by a person, group, family, or church.
- Reflect on the feelings you associate with these two experiences.
The contrast highlights the centrality of practicing true hospitality. This month, we are holding up hospitality as a spiritual/religious practice, and you are invited to notice how well we do, how well you do, and how all of us could do better.