A Warm Welcome

This week’s scripture reading has an emphasis on warm welcomes. On four separate occasions Paul and his crew are warmly welcomed as they advance on their trip to Rome. The different welcoming parties consist of culturally different islanders, Roman officials, and Roman Christian believers. Given the attitude many communities, often of the same background as Paul, greeted Paul with when he arrived at the edge of town, I imagine Paul’s human emotions were relieved and ecstatic at this hospitality.

Hebrews 13:2 reads “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” If opening your door to a stranger from a far off land feels overwhelming, perhaps consider inviting a neighbor or checking in with an out-of-touch friend. Given the last two years, they may even feel like a stranger.

-Alex Pfister