A stranger welcomed, a friend discovered

Lily Cathcart March 29, 2025 7 3

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Matthew 25: 34-40 (NRSVA)

34 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, “Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; 35 for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, 36 I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” 37 Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? 38 And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? 39 And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?” 40 And the king will answer them, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.”

It is hard to belong when you are hungry or thirsty, cold or tired. So many times the Bible shows us that God and Jesus value welcoming and hospitality and this passage in Matthew is another example of this.

I used to work and live in Scargill, a Christian community and retreat centre, and was always amazed at the difference in people between when they arrived tired from travelling to when they had eaten, rested and been welcomed by us. What would the world be like, I would think to myself, if everyone knew the feeling of being warm, fed, rested and welcomed.

It’s a question I still ask.

I ask it when I read the news.

I ask it as I learn how to grow vegetables.

I ask it when I visit friends and realise how lucky I am.

Prayer:

Dear God of everybody

Please help us to bring welcome and warmth wherever we can

Let us see people through your eyes

Let us see you in every stranger

Bring your sense of belonging to the world

Amen