I find it interesting how there have been so many taboos against mixing with foreigners and now we get this story of how a foreign woman acts faithfully and even becomes a great grandmother of King David...and, of course, Jesus. This seems like a great example of how scripture is often in conversation with itself. Even though there is an important thing to be learned about steering clear of influences that might drag us away from God, there is an important thing to be learned from those outside of our own tradition. Jesus himself gets in trouble for including so many outsiders as the heroes of his parables and as the guests at his dinner table. All of this seems to raise the issue of how we should live in this world and participate in its daily life and yet remain holy - apart for God.
Hospitiablity is such an vital part of so many stories in the entire Bible--wether it is welcoming the foreigner, the orphan, the widow, the traveler passing through town. Even though we have reading again and again about not letting outside factors influence us, maybe it could work the other way--that by our extending hospitality to all, we are showing them glimpses of God`s love and grace!
ReplyDeleteHow we should live in this world and participate
ReplyDeletein its daily life......and yet remain holy -for
God? We can't remain holy, apart from God.
Yes, I think sharing of hospitality for all, can
be a glimpse of God's love and grace.
vlg