Whenever you come to church, what is the first thing that you normally do? Some of us may kneel down in prayer, some may sit and spend time with the Lord, some may meet up with friends and chat a little, hopefully outside the church. But how many of us would make effort or go through the trouble to look around and see if there are any strangers or newcomers especially inside the church or near the church entrance? Do we make our church a place where all are welcomed?
In today's reading, St. Paul reminds us: "Do not let your love be a pretence, but sincerely prefer good to evil. Love each other as much as brothers should, and have a profound respect for each other. Work for the Lord with untiring effort and with great earnestness of spirit. If you have hope, this will make you cheerful. Do not give up if trials come; and keep on praying. If any of the saints are in need you must share with them; and you should make hospitality your special care." Some of us may think that being welcoming and hospitable to others, especially strangers and newcomers, is solely the responsibility of the hospitality ministers. But if we consider ourselves brothers and sisters in Christ, sons and daughters of God, then shouldn't being welcoming and hospitable to others be our responsibility and duty also? After all, we are part of God's family, and surely there should be no strangers in God's family.
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