Totally radical!

This month we are on a series entitled Radical Hospitality from the book entitled, The 5 Practices of Fruitful Congregations by Robert Schnase.

This past Sunday we took a look at Luke 10:1-11, 17-20. Seventy followers were sent out on a mission with nothing to take with them. They were instructed only to offer peace as they entered a house. If the household accepts and shares in that peace, remain there. Eat and drink what is offered while curing the sick and sharing with them the Kingdom of God. If they do not welcome you, basically, walk away, still sharing that the Kingdom has come near.

Motel 6 is a very welcoming place. They offer basic conveniences at an affordable price. They will provide for you what you may need during your stay. They even advertise to keep the light on for you! They truly welcome your stay. They are radical in their hospitality. This hospitality can be abused at times. A guest may feel they need an extra towel or two at home. Or perhaps since there is coffee available, one may want to fill their thermos before hitting the road.

As we seek ways to be radically hospitable to anyone we meet, we must not be surprised by rejection and abuse. After all, wasn't Jesus rejected and abused? He laid down his life for all of us who were still yet sinners. That is radical hospitality if you ask me! It is this grace and forgiveness that Jesus offers that we need to share.

As Rev. Gordon Myers put it, hospitality is a virtue. "Radical hospitality is part of our life, not and extension of our life." It is a Christian virtue, "to give of ourselves and to love our neighbor". Yes, we may be rejected or even abused, but we must not make that an issue. We pray for and let God work in those situations. Love for neighbor is still very much in order!

May you be a radical blessing to someone this week.