Hospitality as Spiritual Practice
Generosity and Hospitality
Reflection By Scott Stoner
Let a little water be brought, and wash your feet, and rest yourselves under the tree.
- Genesis 18:4
The story of Abraham and Sarah welcoming three strangers who turn out to be divine messengers is one of the most beautiful examples of hospitality in Scripture. What begins as a simple act of kindness—offering water, food, and rest to travelers—becomes a moment of profound spiritual significance.
This story reminds us that hospitality is not just a social nicety or kindness. It is a spiritual practice that opens us to encounter the divine. When we welcome others with open hearts, we create space for God to work through our interactions.
The Welcoming Prayer, a contemplative practice developed by Mary Mrozowski and others, offers a way to extend hospitality to people and to our experiences. In this practice (on p. 53 ), we learn to welcome whatever arises in our hearts and minds—difficult emotions, challenging circumstances, unexpected visitors—with the same openness we would offer a beloved guest.
This doesn’t mean we like everything that happens or should be passive when facing problems. Instead, we approach life with a hospitable heart, trusting that God can work through all circumstances, even difficult ones.
When we practice hospitality as a spiritual discipline, we discover that it changes us as much as it blesses others. Our hearts become more open, our compassion deepens, and our capacity to see God in unexpected places increases. Hospitality as spiritual practice connects us to God’s presence in others and helps us create space for rest and renewal.
Making it Personal: How do you understand hospitality as a spiritual practice? How might the Welcoming Prayer be helpful during the busy holiday season? Try practicing it today—when you encounter something difficult or unexpected, say “Welcome” and look for how God might be present in it.