Love in action

“1 Let love of the brethren continue. 2 Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers…”

Hebrews 13:1-2 NASB

One of my favorite childhood memories is my mother's hospitality. Mummy would welcome her colleagues from the hospital when they would stop by to check on Nurse Dowdie on the weekends or during the holiday season. We had a family tradition of enjoying “black cake” or fruit cake during holidays and weddings. Callers visiting from Christmas into New Year were guaranteed a slice of my mother's delicious black cake and a glass of sorrel.

My sister and I were usually commandeered to help with measuring, mixing, greasing, and lining the baking tins. Ultimately we learned to volunteer for these sessions because we got to taste the batter. To this day, I rate my Mummy's black cake as the best I have ever tasted. I’m still determining if my bias may be connected to nostalgia. I am sure about the ethos of generosity my mother demonstrated, something that I have incorporated into my family and work life.  

Hebrews 13:1-2 counsels us to center and allow love to permeate our actions. Several words for love are used throughout the New Testament (NT) scriptures. Eros (sexual passion and desire), philia (deep communal friendship), storge (love between family members), and agape (sacrificial love). In this instance, the Greek word translated into English for love is "philadelphia" or brotherly love. The writer of Hebrews wants us to know that if we are going to 'continue the teaching and healing ministry of Jesus,' the phileo or love of neighbor is imperative. The apostle Paul echoes this sentiment in Romans 12:10, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.” (see also John 10:34)

One way of demonstrating this love is through hospitality. If you were to ask my mother where she learned to be hospitable, she would say from her mother, Hilda Simpson. Mummy tells me that her mom was welcoming and would share whatever resources she had, whether it was her time, sewing skills, food, or words of encouragement, with those in her community and family. Mama, as her children called her, was generous. 

When we think of hospitality in our modern world, we might think about hotels, restaurants, and perhaps tourism. The goal of the hospitality industry is to provide guests with services. As I reflect on the scripture again, I am reminded that practicing hospitality is not for profit, a career, or a tip, but a way of life. Hospitality may take the form of contributing to the needs of others (Romans 12:13), being welcoming and generous to other Christ followers (1st Peter 4:9), or taking care of the needs of the hungry, thirsty, or strangers (Matthew 25:35). 

I have learned that being hospitable is a skill we learn and practice. Daily each of us at Loma Linda University Health is in the business of providing healthcare education or services. Let's work together to create environments where no one feels left out, overlooked, or othered. Let's practice phileo – the love that communicates that each person we meet deserves an opportunity to experience being seen, known, and esteemed. 

—Dilys Brooks, MDiv, BCC, is campus chaplain for Loma Linda University.