HOSPITALITY: LADY AT SHUNEM
‘Stranger Danger’ is an expression that warns people about the danger of receiving or talking with unfamiliar people. Usually, we teach our children to be wary of strangers, considering the wicked world in which we live and because of bizarre stories of strangers inflicting harm on unsuspecting Good Samaritans. In spite of ‘stranger danger,’ St. Benedict gave a rule of hospitality to his fellow monks. He says, “Every guest who comes to the monastery shall be received as if he were Christ himself.” Jim Forest, author of ‘A Saint for Our Age’ rightly says, “There is not only hospitality of the door but also of the face and heart.” Hausa people say, a smiling face is a better welcome than the offer of a mat (Shimfidar fuska tafi ta tabarma). There are several stories in scriptures where people received their blessing for their welcoming attitude and for approaching prophets and priests who were passing by. The story of Elisha and the Lady at Shunem is a good example from the Old Testament...