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Henri Nouwen, once told about a time when he visited a monastery on retreat. The monks at that monastery observed vows of silence and the retreat was to be meditative and prayerful. Nouwen was delayed and had to arrive late on a rainy night well after bedtime. He was met at the door by one of the brothers who greeted him warmly, took his wet coat, and brought him to the kitchen for cup of tea.

They talked late into the night, and Nouwen began to relax and feel ready for the retreat. However, it dawned on him that this monk was supposed to observe silence, and so he asked, “Brother, why are you willing to sit and talk with me?” The monk replied “Of all the duties of the Christian faith and the rules of my order, none is higher than hospitality.”

Did you know that in its original form, “hospitality” combines two separate words, one meaning friend and the other meaning stranger. So from very early on, hospitality has carried with it the idea of making friends out of strangers.

I wonder how that would look for you and me.

Some people I know show hospitality to folks who are in need in their communities by volunteering in food pantries or homeless shelters. Others make a point to bring a cup of cold water to maintenance or lawn care workers. In this time of continued social distancing – even a smile or a kind word can go a long way. The challenge is to remember that of all the duties of the Christian faith, hospitality is near the top!

Let us pray: We thank you O God, for people who have shown hospitality to us, even when we were strangers to them. Give us eyes to see your image in each and every person we meet, and grant us the grace to welcome them as you would welcome them, and as you have welcomed us. Amen.

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The “new creation” that we become in baptism is not a static form of salvation. It is a manifestation of God’s grace – a living, evolving thing – that should be reflected in our lives as our thank you to God for blessing us with it. Salvation calls us to constant growth as Christians by living out the Gospel message, that we may help bring about God’s kingdom here on earth, which is our charge.

In the words of theologian Marcus Borg, “the Christian life is about a relationship with God that transforms us into more compassionate beings. The God of love and justice is the God of relationship and transformation.” For if we believe that the gift of grace is only about going to heaven, Jesus died for nothing. The gift of grace is about our relationship with God in this life and manifesting in this life all that God stands for in the example of his son. The gift of grace is that of always having access to God even when we fall short of the mark through error and sin, and of being forgiven. As that glorious, timeless hymn puts it:

“Through many dangers, toils and snares I have already come. ‘Tis grace has brought me safe thus far – And grace will lead me home.”

Let us pray: Lord, by whom we are guided in judgement, grant us in all our doubts, uncertainties, and imperfections the grace to ask what you would have us do and the grace to carry it out, so that all we do may begin, continue, and end in you. Then, when our work for you on earth is done, grant us a holy rest and peace at last. Amen.

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In his book Proof Timothy Paul Jones writes about his middle daughter who is adopted. She had been adopted before, but that family put her back in the foster care system. For some reason, they had not treated this little girl like she was truly their child. Whenever they had special outings, they took all their biological children with them, but left their adopted daughter behind. Of course, this child got the message that she wasn’t wanted, wasn’t good enough, wasn’t a full member of the family.

So when Timothy Jones’ and his family adopted this little girl, she acted out – a lot. They decided that the best way to welcome her to their family was to plan a trip to Disney. But when they told their new daughter about the trip, her behavior problems only got worse. She lied, she stole food, she was mean to her new siblings. It seemed that this little girl was so afraid of not getting to Disney that she was trying to guarantee her new parents would have a reason to leave her behind.

The day finally came for their trip, and the family went all out. It was a full day of fun!

As they collapsed in their hotel room that night, Timothy asked his new daughter what she thought of the experience. She smiled and said, “Daddy, I finally got to go to Disney World. But it wasn’t because I was good; it’s because I’m yours.”

And then he writes, “That’s the message of outrageous grace. Outrageous grace isn’t a favor you can achieve by being good; it’s the gift you receive by being God’s.”

When the message of grace sinks deep into our hearts; we can let of thinking that God’s love is something we need to earn. We can let go of our past mistakes and failures – knowing that God has let them go… We can let go of our shortcomings. And we can let go of the shortcomings of others… And we are set free from having to be the judge of the world… And that just feels good!

Let us pray: We thank you, O God, for your unconditional love, mercy and grace. Help us accept these gifts, and to share them with a world desperately in need. In Christ’s name. Amen.

“Today’s message was written by my friend, Roger Kunkel, founder of Dial Hope.” -Joe

In Psalm 8:1 we read: “O, Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

The sun was taking its last breath of day and the moon began to shine in its place of honor. Only a small sliver of moon was scheduled to show, but it arrogantly glinted on the opposite edge, attempting to reflect the glorious sun as it made its exit. My eye could fill in the complete circle of light, delighting in the stubborn nature of the moon in the sky of the gentle south. I made my way across the shifting sand, sinking in with each step. As I crested the small mound of sand I could see the Gulf, the setting sun, the rising moon. It was almost too much for my senses to accept. Each and every sense was stimulated. My eyes have never seen such color before. Only God could mix the hues before me. Only my creator could fade one color so perfectly into the next. The setting sun was brilliant. I could feel God. God was there enjoying the intensity of the experience with me. I felt cradled in his loving grace and oh, so grateful to be alive on this planet. I was blessed to stand in that one place, in that one moment of time.

Let us pray: Thank you, Lord, for showing me a glimpse of heaven. Thank you for giving me senses to experience you fully. Allow me to hold this memory forever and to remember this passage from Psalm 8:1: “O, Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” Loving God, we thank you for the majesty of each day and mystery of each velvet night. Our lives are wonderfully made, fragile as lace, strong as spider webs. We pray for those all over your world whose days are gray instead of the ever-changing kaleidoscope of color that paints our lives. O, Lord, be thou our vision. Help us make this day a masterpiece. Through the amazing grace of Jesus Christ. Amen.