{"id":8667,"date":"2024-01-23T00:00:56","date_gmt":"2024-01-23T00:00:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/burnheadchurch.com\/?p=8667"},"modified":"2024-01-18T21:40:12","modified_gmt":"2024-01-18T21:40:12","slug":"wpcu-2024-day6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/burnheadchurch.com\/?p=8667","title":{"rendered":"Week of Prayer for Christian Unity – Day 6"},"content":{"rendered":"

Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. (Luke 10: 34)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Lord, turn our churches into \u2018inns\u2019, welcoming those in need<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Additional scripture passages<\/span><\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Genesis 18: 4-5<\/li>\n
  • Psalm 5: 11-12<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Commentary<\/span><\/h3>\n

    The man who fell into the hands of robbers was cared for by a Samaritan. The Samaritan confronted his own fear and prejudice and moved beyond it. He saw a stranger in need and brought him to an inn. \u201cThe next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, \u2018Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend\u2019\u201d (Luke 10: 35).<\/p>\n

    In any human society, hospitality and solidarity are essential. They require the welcoming of strangers, migrants and all people without a home. Such hospitality can require sacrifice, but it is an important witness to the Gospel, particularly in contexts of religious and cultural pluralism. When faced with insecurity, suspicion and sometimes violence, we tend to mistrust our neighbours and extending and accepting hospitality becomes more difficult.<\/p>\n

    Welcoming \u2018the other\u2019, and being welcomed in turn, is at the heart of ecumenical dialogue and practice. Christians are challenged to turn our churches into inns, open and inviting spaces where our neighbours can find Christ. Such hospitality is a sign of the love that our churches have for one another and for all.<\/p>\n

    When we, as followers of Christ, move beyond our traditions and choose to practise ecumenical hospitality, we stop being strangers and start being good neighbours.<\/p>\n

    Reflection<\/span><\/h3>\n

    What stops me from action?
    \nWhat silences our unity?
    \nClinging to familiarity.
    \nParalysed by fear of change, rejection and judgement.
    \nOr simply a lack of time.
    \nJustifying a choice to keep on walking.
    \nTo discard a treasure.<\/p>\n

    Where is Christ in the face of the other?
    \nRescuing, welcoming, accepting me.
    \nJoining me in prayer, worship and witness.
    \nSeeing me as I look into the eyes of those in need.
    \nThe unexpected jewel reflecting something of the face of God.<\/p>\n

    Prayer<\/span><\/h3>\n

    God of unity
    \nIn Jesus, you showed us the meaning of hospitality,
    \nby caring for our fragile humanity.
    \nHelp us to become a community
    \nthat generously welcomes those who feel abandoned and lost,
    \ntogether building an inn where all are welcomed and loved.
    \nMay we become closer to each other as we flaunt your unconditional love in the unity of the Holy Spirit. Amen.<\/p>\n

    Questions<\/span><\/h3>\n
      \n
    • Personal:<\/strong> When have you seen Christ in someone who was not like you?<\/li>\n
    • Local:<\/strong> Are there churches or spaces that act as an \u2018inn\u2019 near you?<\/li>\n
    • Global:<\/strong> Is your country welcoming of those in need, or not?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Go and Do<\/span><\/h3>\n
        \n
      • Personal:<\/strong> Find out about the life of a Christian from another tradition who has been a \u2018good neighbour\u2019. What did they do and what can you learn from this experience?<\/li>\n
      • Local:<\/strong> What ecumenical \u2018treasure\u2019 can be found in your area? Find out what Christians are doing together and get involved.<\/li>\n
      • Global:<\/strong> Consider your neighbours in a different part of the world. Join the World Council of Churches Prayer Cycle and commit to praying regularly for your neighbours and understanding them better.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

        Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. (Luke 10: 34) Lord, turn our churches into \u2018inns\u2019, welcoming those in need Additional scripture passages Genesis 18: 4-5 Psalm 5: 11-12 Commentary The man who fell into the hands of robbers was cared for by a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8648,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/burnheadchurch.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8667"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/burnheadchurch.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/burnheadchurch.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/burnheadchurch.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/burnheadchurch.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8667"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/burnheadchurch.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8667\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8669,"href":"https:\/\/burnheadchurch.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8667\/revisions\/8669"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/burnheadchurch.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8648"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/burnheadchurch.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8667"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/burnheadchurch.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8667"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/burnheadchurch.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8667"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}