Becoming a Person of WelcomeSample

Hospitality Returns to Repair

When we think of welcome, we often think of the hellos and the beginnings, but not necessarily the goodbyes or endings. Goodbyes and endings are often what remain with us after our time together. If an interaction ends, we leave with a good feeling, a sense of healing, fullness, and maybe even some courage for whatever comes next. When an interaction ends poorly, it often lingers and haunts us, leaving us to wonder what could have been done differently to change the outcome.

Hospitality continues through the end and even after an encounter. Even if the outcome isn’t ideal, there is an opportunity to repair, and that repair makes way for a more welcome and continuing relationship in the future.

Today’s Scripture passage looks at the time when Jesus returned to repair a relationship and restore a person. Jesus had not done anything wrong, but he pursued an opportunity to repair a relationship where he was rejected. In repairing the relationship, he restored purpose for this person.

Repair heals, and it also emboldens and encourages someone, as it restores relationships and heals places of pain and guilt. Being a person of welcome includes the movement of repair to care for another.

How have you experienced another person moving towards you to repair the relationship?

Who do you need to walk towards with repair?

Was this Plan helpful? We adapted this Plan from Becoming a Person of Welcome: The Spiritual Practice of Hospitality by Laura Baghdassarian Murray. For more information, visit: https://www.ivpress.com/becoming-a-person-of-welcome