Scripture:  1 Peter 4:7-11 (Focus on verse 9)

7The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Observations:

Show hospitality to one another
Without grumbling.

Application:

Hospitality:
is the act of welcoming another person into your space.
is the act of welcoming another person to your table.
shares.
puts the other at ease.
recognizes that everyone who comes to the table has something to give.
creates space for the gifts of the other to be received.
honours the other.
loves.

We are hospitality-challenged.  So much so, we don’t even remember what its like to grumble about hospitality.  The loss of the table and simple hospitality makes us poorer even as we become richer.  When we do go off of the fiscal cliff our poverty of relationships may become more apparent.

The Gospel encourages us to create space for relationships by using “our” spaces to welcome and honour others.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, you have welcomed us to your table.  May my table be a glimpse of your great banquet table in heaven.  May your Son always be the guest of honour.  May strangers become your friends at our tables.  AMEN.