by John W. Herbst

The Old Testament Books of Judges and Ruth are set in the same time period—Israel prior to the establishment of the monarchy—but hospitality clearly “works” in one but does not fare so well in the other. This intriguing article explores the reasons why.

by Matilda G. Chase

Travel in the ancient mid-east was treacherous and so when strange travelers showed up in a community, they were welcomed, given food, water, and foot washing as a way of providing hospitality, and also for protection of the host. Once travelers were offered food and rest, they were less likely to attack or steal from the host’s community.

by Farrell Graves

Both American and Japanese hospitality assume that there is a distance that must be bridged, the only difference being from which shore the bridge is to be built. In Christian hospitality, there is nothing to bridge since it starts with mutual identification.

by Christopher Carter

Our understanding of hospitality is rooted within the experiences of our childhood home, our respective ethnic and geographic cultures…guided by our religious and/or philosophical perspectives.

by Kang-Yup Na

From the very first act of God’s creation of heaven and earth (Genesis 1.1) to the eschatological vision of the new heaven and earth (Revelation 21.1), hospitality…illuminates every canonical book toward spiritual insight and nourishment…the conceptual world of the word ‘hospitality’ embraces the entirety of Christian theology, piety, and mission.

by Amy Bell Finiki

In her travels overseas, the author learned experientially about hospitality: “It is in how we are treated, how we want to be treated, and how we treat others that is the truth of genuine hospitality.” Hers is a tale of adventure and discovery.

by Austin Park

The author digs into the bible to show how hospitality is a core principle for Jesus, and he poses some intriguing questions about Jesus’ behavior in this unusual tale of Jesus’ first miracle.

by Brandt L. Montgomery

Jesus wants us to do what is right instead of constantly worrying about always being right. He asks that we be welcoming to others just as He is welcoming to us.

by Elaine Chan

Sometimes the opportunity to be hospitable to a stranger may seem like too much trouble, imprudent, or even dangerous, but Hebrews 13.2 tells us “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

by Robert LaRochelle

While falling attendance is a problem for many churches, the answer as to how to stop that trend may lie in how newcomers perceive the congregation—not by having a welcoming committee of a few select members, but by extending genuine hospitality by everyone to everyone.

By Remington Slone

This lectionary guide covers Sundays from May 3 through July 28, 2013.

Collected by Darla Turlington

These quotations, on the general topic of Hospitality, were selected from both Testaments of the Bible as well as a variety of authors, and speakers; they may be useful to pastors, theologians, seminary students, and others in their sermon preparation, research, writings, or reflections.