MONDAY, February 8

Hebrews 13:1-16. Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.

God has interrupted me. Not with a lightning bolt, but just with a quiet visitor.

There I was, working on a writing project about displaced persons, when an actual displaced person showed up at my door. Hitler drove this man from his native country years ago. Now he is a good American and serves America well. Now he is married and there's a baby coming. And he's looking for a church. "Which church?" he asks. "You have so many different ones!"

I talked to him about our church and gave him some things to read. But something troubles me. There are two churches within walking distance of his home (he has no car, and remember the baby), but to which shall I send him? With his faulty English and still foreign manner, am I right to invite him to our church, or should I send him to the other one? Would either of them make him welcome? Would either be a home in Christ for this man and his family? They need the real thing--a fellowship of practicing Christians who will show forth grace, understanding, the love of Christ. Will either church do the real thing or only a surface job?

Would your parish receive this couple as our Lord would? I pray so. (1948)

PRAY for the Diocese of Athabasca (Rupert's Land, Canada)

Ps 80 * 77, [79]; Genesis 25:19-34; John 7:37-52

View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.
 

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