JANUARY 11TH, 2021      |    The Middle Eastern culture that Jesus grew up in had (and still does) three primary cultural norms: Honor/Shame; Radical Hospitality; and Communal Living (we, not me). This is vastly different from our own cultural norms which lean more toward guilt/innocence, guarding what is ours and looking out for our own interests. Radical Hospitality is our focus today. In today’s readings, showing hospitality to one another and to strangers is on full display. It is how we ought to live our lives. Hospitality goes way beyond preparing a meal and serving it beautifully. Hospitality is love in action, and love is the hallmark of our faith. Romans 12:13b says, “Practice hospitality.” In the original language, that word “hospitality” implies being a lover of strangers. What does that mean? What does it look like to be a lover of strangers? How do we practice this and live it out? Here are some thoughts: • Invite people who are new to church or to your neighborhood to a meal. • Show kindness and care to those outside your circle, e.g. prisoners, widows and the under-resourced. • Pray for divine opportunities to show hospitality and then follow through. • If hospitality isn’t your “thing,” ask the Lord to tender your heart in this area.