Hospitality Within the Christian Community

 Title: Hospitality Within the Christian Community

In the early days of Christianity,
Hospitality was a sacred responsibility,
To welcome the itinerant servants of the gospel,
And make room for them, with love and apostolic zeal.

But Peter's concern lay within the Christian fold,
To practice hospitality with love and warmth untold,
For Christians gathered weekly for communal worship,
And needed spaces to gather, whether grand or modest.

Some homes could host up to fifty, with ease,
While others gathered in small flats or back rooms, to please,
And share in the love and grace of their Christian kin,
Creating a sense of community, strong and akin.

Hospitality meant more than just a place to stay,
It meant creating spaces for sanctuary, come what may,
Where Christians could find refuge and peace,
And feel the loving embrace of their community, with ease.

And shared meals were an important part of the scene,
Bringing together people of different cultures and genes,
To break bread together, and share in the love,
Creating a sense of familial ties, that stretched above.

For the table fellowship encoded messages profound,
About inclusion and exclusion, boundary-keeping and -crossing, profound,
It was a symbol of love and unity, that transcended all,
A reflection of God's grace, that answered the call.

Hospitality was more than just a practice, it was a way of life,
A reflection of God's love, that transcended all strife,
For Christians, it was a sacred responsibility,
To create spaces of love, grace, and community.

And in our own time, hospitality remains,
A sacred practice, that still sustains,
The Christian community, and all who seek,
To find love, grace, and a place to meet.

So let us practice hospitality with love and joy,
Welcoming all, whether rich or poor, girl or boy,
For in doing so, we reflect God's love,
And become the hands and feet of the Lord above.

With Peter's words, we're reminded anew
Of the value of hospitality, both old and new
It was practiced by the early Christian crew
And it's still a calling for me and you

Hospitality, it's not just about a meal
It's about making space for others to feel
Welcomed, loved, and like they can heal
In a world where people are often left to deal

With rejection, isolation, and fear
Hospitality can bring a different atmosphere
A place where people can draw near
And find the love that they've been yearning to hear

But it's not always easy to practice hospitality well
Sometimes it's hard to break out of our shell
To make room for those who don't fit our mold or spell
Yet this is exactly what Peter implores us to tell

To one another, we are to show hospitality's grace
To create spaces where people can find their place
To embrace diversity and not just our own race
To extend a welcome, and put on a smiling face

It's not just about a meal or a comfortable bed
It's about creating a community where souls can be fed
It's about loving those who have been left for dead
And bringing them into a space where love can be spread

So let's take up this ancient practice anew
Let's show hospitality to those who are new
Let's make room for all, not just a select few
And let's do it all for the glory of the One who

First showed us hospitality in His Son
Who came to earth to show us how it's done
Who opened His arms to everyone
And invites us to do the same until our life is done.

Application:

In our modern world where individualism and self-interest often reign, the call to practice hospitality may seem counter-cultural. But as Peter reminds us, hospitality is a vital part of the Christian community, and it's a way we can reflect the love of God to those around us. Let's be intentional about creating spaces where people feel welcome, valued, and loved. Let's seek to break down barriers and extend a welcome to those who are different from us. Let's use our homes, our tables, and our lives to demonstrate the generous, inclusive love of Christ.