PRAYER PAUSE
Friday 3 February 2017
TO WELCOME
STRANGERS
Pause. Enter into the stillness of God
within.
Reading: “Continue to love each other, and
remember always to welcome strangers, for by doing this, some people have
entertained angels without knowing it.” (Hebrews 13:1-8)
Reflection. At a time when Trump is sending out
a clear message, “Strangers not welcome” and Europe is frightened of whom the
wave of migrants might bring, a climate of fear of “others” is growing and the message
of welcome and “building bridges” (Pope Francis) is being drowned out. Yet to
welcome can mean “entertaining angels,” that is, opening up to new vistas in
our own lives. When I was introduced to people living with intellectual disabilities
I was frightened. But once I was helped to come to know them I realised they
touch areas of my heart which up to then lay closed and out of bounds.
Prayer. Lord, help
us to go against the prevailing culture of fear of strangers. Teach us to welcome
those who are different and stretch out our bounds. Amen.
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