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An act of Justice.

Hospitality is an act of kingdom justice; it involves seeing someone and their needs and acting on a desire to respond. Not just so that they may survive but so they may flourish and experience shalom.*

Kingdom justice is about inviting strangers to become part of our lives and becoming part of theirs. Strangers—those who may be different from us in many ways, those from other countries or with different backgrounds, cultures or languages—may be the hardest for us to offer welcome. But if we are to follow the example of Jesus and honour the command of God, we need to reach out to those who may feel unwelcome in the world with the warm embrace of a community that can demonstrate God’s love, mindful that whatever we do to ‘the least of these’, we are doing unto the Lord (Matthew 25:40). This may involve acts of traditional hospitality such as sharing a meal—but it is more.

In Leviticus 19:33–34, God gives a clear instruction that we are not to mistreat foreigners residing in our land, but to treat them as natives, loving them as ourselves. To offer them ‘home’.

Home is not a place; it is a relationship.

It is not easy being a foreigner—not knowing what behaviour is normal, what attire is acceptable or how to navigate the tasks of everyday life.

As followers of Jesus, we should demonstrate love and patience with the stranger in our midst. To the one counting slowly in an unfamiliar currency at the cash desk, to the one laden with heavy bags who needs a little extra time to navigate airport security, to the one uttering a few broken words in a foreign language. We should welcome them in love and offer them a ‘home’ with us.

This is kingdom justice at its best—living right and righting wrong.

For reflection:

How do I welcome the stranger in my midst (neighbourhood, school, community)?

In what ways does God reveal himself to me through the stranger?

A prayer for today:

Dear Lord, help us to see the stranger and the foreigner through your eyes. May we demonstrate love and patience as we endeavour to build relationships with them.

AMEN

*‘Shalom’ is a Hebrew word and Jewish greeting, often translated as ‘peace’, which refers to wholeness and rightness. It means connectedness with others. With creation. With God.