Hospitality, welcoming the stranger

Sunday June 15th, Genesis 18: 1-2 God appeared to Abraham at the Oaks of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance of his tent. It was the hottest part of the day. He looked up and saw three men standing. He ran from his tent to greet them and bowed before them. 3-5 He said, "Master, if it please you, stop for a while with your servant. I'll get some water so you can wash your feet. Rest under this tree. I'll get some food to refresh you on your way, since your travels have brought you across my path." Good morning, how are you, welcome, what can I get you? Signs of greetings and welcome. How do we welcome the stranger among us? Is it with open ended greetings and hospitality or is it with closed systems that must remain unchanged? Just as Abraham was change by welcoming the strangers who came to visit him, so too, our churches are changed by welcoming those who come to visit us. This is the good news. God does not leave us stagnant, but rather, each person who comes among us is a vibrant and dynamic change to our institutions and ourselves. Welcoming the stranger is welcoming change.