Hospitality: The art of being ready when God stops by without an appointment

After Christ's crucifixion, it was not just Jesus who needed a resurrection. The disciples, who had seen their hopes seemingly dashed, badly needed new life, new hope. They had been under the illusion that Jesus was soon to be King of Israel. After his crucifixion, this illusion was stripped away. This disillusionment, while painful, was also helpful as a step toward clarity. In Luke 24:13-35, Cleopas and his companion were disillusioned and seeking clarity. Pastor Phil Kniss pointed to the practice of hospitality as evidence that they were still open, not lost in defensiveness and defeat. They set aside their own agenda and needs so they could welcome this "other" person who had joined them on the road. They were open to hearing his interpretation and understanding of scripture. Pastor Phil suggests that in our society we desperately need to open ourselves to practice hospitality toward the "other". Through that practice, we may in fact welcome the risen Lord. Pastor Phil invited us to join him in being deeply hospitable, and discerning in the context of a committed community that will boldly engage with the world. Can we be open and yielded in whatever context we find ourselves in, ready whenever God stops by?