Meditation
Romans 12:3—Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. Hospitality is among the oldest of all human moral institutions. The Latin word hospitalitem, means “ friendliness to guests.” The Greek word philoxenia links two words, philos, "affection," and xenia, "stranger." Hospitality also means affection toward strangers. In the ancient Middle East, with political borders often in flux, travelers were forced to rely upon the hospitality of others to survive because one never knew when the tables would be turned. In the movie Lone Survivor, Navy Seal Marcus Luttrel, while injured and pursued by hostile forces, relied on the protection of Afghani tribal leaders. These Muslims practiced the ancient Pashtunwali Code of showing hospitality toward strangers, regardless of their background. Hospitality is not only about the stranger. Many families and organizations are wounded by infighting. Greek Orthodox philosopher Stelios Ramfos reminds us that “in order to co-exist with our fellow human beings we need to accommodate them.” The word “accommodate” in Greek is synchoreo, which means forgiving and tearing down unnecessary walls to overcome estrangement. That is why the Christmas story of the incarnation and birth of Jesus is so radical. To bridge our estrangement, God extends hospitality to us by emptying into Jesus, to make a way for us to Himself. Our greatness as a nation is proportional to our hospitality toward others. The failure to maintain control of our southern border causes anguish for those seeing the pain of many desperate people risking their lives to cross our borders. Yet, these same Americans also feel the deep injury, abuse, and violation by the ensuing lawlessness. When leaders fail to protect order, cordiality is violated. Hospitality is conditional in this respect. Extended hospitality requires respect from the guest. The host’s door is opened to the stranger on the condition that the visitor respects the order provided. The American soul needs the light of Christmas more than ever. We have entered a dark period in our history when the existing power structures and institutions are no longer trusted; when citizens love their Country but despise their government; when people grieve the loss of goodness in their lives and desperately look for leaders to restore it.Greatness, after all, comes from excess goodness, and hospitality is easier to find with excess goodness. So, this Christmas, let’s make extra room for others in our hearts. Inspiration "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."—Emma Lazarus, America’s first-generation Jewish poet whose welcoming words are inscribed at the base of the Statue of Liberty. ------------------------------- Peter C. DeMarco is a leadership coach, organizational consultant, and ethics educator residing in Canandaigua, New York. He is the author of the forthcoming book, The Good Will Leader. You can reach him at [email protected] -------------------------- Peter C. DeMarco | Executive Coach, Organizational Consultant & Ethics Educator Priority Thinking®, LLC | 151 Howell Street | Canandaigua New York 14424 585-478-8489 | www.prioritythinking.com | Articles | Bio | LinkedIn ©2022 Peter DeMarco ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause. If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box. Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.
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