Welcoming the Stranger

Whenever I am engaged in a discussion about immigration the dominant driver of that conversation usually is xenophobia (fear of the stranger). It is rarely ever driven by philoxenia (love of stranger). 

Look, I understand this, I really do. In a post 9/11 world it is fear that shapes the American psyche more than any other emotion. We are humans and as humans we are deeply susceptible to fear; yet when fear becomes the primary driver of our actions we are in trouble.

We fear a lot of things, from microscopic germs to the macro threat of terrorism.

Perhaps this is why the Bible warns us against fear more than any other emotion.

When it comes to the practice of hospitality, fear is the most dominant impediment preventing us from welcoming the stranger among us. 

In the ancient world of the Bible (including the world of Jesus) folks lived according to the Ancient Law of Hospitality. This bent towards practicing hospitality towards strangers was deeply embedded in the ancient culture of the Middle East.

Strangers were often welcomed into the homes of native hosts in spite of the potential dangers involved. Not only was a complete stranger welcomed into the home for an overnight stay and much needed nourishment, but was also afforded the protection of the host (see Genesis 19:1ff).

The attempted violation of this Ancient Law of Hospitality plays a huge role in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah’s destruction. Read the story as depicted in Genesis 19.

In the Gospels Jesus is often portrayed as one who regularly practiced hospitality (as well as being on the receiving end of it). He was not shy about welcoming all comers into the embrace of God’s generosity, grace and love. There is no instance in the Gospels, that I am aware of, in which Jesus turns anyone away.

In fact, Jesus warned that our hospitality to the stranger (or lack thereof) is going to be the main feature of the final judgment (no, it will not be all about whether one is saved or not).

Today we live in a complex times; times that indeed call into question the wisdom of practicing hospitality to the stranger. The idea of welcoming anyone from outside our own national borders has become too difficult for many to embrace, let alone practice. It really is a tough issue to be sure.

Yet it saddens me to witness the largess of the American heart shrink in fear. What always made me so proud to be an American was that my country was one of the most hospitable nations on earth. In spite of our flaws, we Americans truly are an hospitable people (maybe more back then than now).

Welcoming the stranger is one of the basic core values of the Gospel. It has its risks to be sure. Welcoming the stranger makes us all vulnerable. But walking on any street in America is an experience in vulnerability yet we don't stop walking those streets do we?

Just stepping outside the safe confines of our homes exposes us to danger yet we don't become hermits do we? We don’t stop driving on freeways just because they are dangerous do we?

Do we become isolationists because it is too risky to be welcoming?

Isolationism is the world’s tactic. It is borne out of fear. But remembering the words of the Apostle Paul may be helpful here:

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Insofar as practicing hospitality we are to “put on the mind of Christ” in our outreach to strangers.

Is it dangerous or risky? Yes! But we have not been called to be patrons of a safe society isolated from the dangers of this world. We are called to carry the cross of Christ into the world as we attempt to practice hospitality towards the world.

Love indeed is the antidote to fear. The more we learn to love the less fear will have a grip on us.

 It sounds strange I know but is borne of the Gospel of Christ.