Greetings …

… and my thanks to each and every one of you who have sent my family and I words of welcome on our return from overseas.  These messages have been truly appreciated and are a measure of your care for all of us.

We had a special time away, and for the last part of our holiday, we spent some time travelling around the Republic of Ireland and as we did, we were often greeted by the word ‘failte’.  ‘Failte’ means ‘welcome’, and this greeting was visible on signs as you entered towns or buildings, as well as being spoken in greeting by some locals.

Our welcome home has been special, and while it is certainly wonderful to be welcomed into a place where you are known and feel you belong, at times on our holiday I was struck again by just how special it was to be welcomed when I was a stranger, to be warmly welcomed with no expectation of me giving anything in return.

In the letter to the Hebrews, Paul reminds his readers of the importance of love which is shown through welcome and hospitality.  ‘Let mutal love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.’ (Hebrews 13:1-2)

These verses remind me that we have the potential to make all places sacred, for wherever we offer welcome and hospitality – be it in our homes, our churches, our workplaces or our communities – we can also meet Christ.  As we open ourselves to the possibilities God invites us into, we can meet Christ in and through others, and they can meet Christ in and through us.

May that be something we continue to strive for.

Blessings – Rev Heather Hon (she/her).