Editorial: Christian Hospitality – Dr Annetta Tsang 

5 MINUTE READ

From Luke’s Journal June 2024  |  Vol.29 No.2  |  Christian Hospitality

Hospitals.

Hospitality.

Hospitality in Hospitals.

Christian Hospitals.

Christian Hospitality.

Christian Hospitality in Hospitals.

These possibilities floated in our minds when the Luke’s Journal editorial team was deciding on the theme for this issue.

In the end, we selected Christian hospitality.

In this issue of Luke’s Journal, we wanted to explore Christian hospitality and how it differs from hospitality in general. Christian hospitality is not simply welcoming guests occasionally, providing a meal here and there, or performing random acts of kindness. The kind of hospitality described in God’s Word is an attitude and a lifestyle rooted in love, love for God and love for others, including strangers, and even enemies. Done well, Christian hospitality can change lives. The Bible is filled with examples of hospitality, God’s style. In this issue, Georgina Hoddle takes us back to Biblical times with Hospitality at Pentecost. We also follow Dr Anthony Herbert as he reflects on the root of hospitality in Hospitality: Greek and Latin Perspectives. In Being A Guest, Dr Irene encouraged me to reflect on God’s lavish hospitality to humankind. I’d love to know what your response is?

In today’s world, it is hard enough to offer hospitality on our own terms, focusing on what we have to offer, doing things our way and according to our schedule, yet Christian hospitality challenges us to be welcoming, attentive, generous, and considerate, even when it is not convenient. Emeritus Professor Laurie Walsh’s example of extending hospitality to someone in distress in the Los Angeles airport in Reaching Out To Others reminded us that opportunities to be hospitable are everywhere if only we’d take the time to notice. To practise hospitality the way Jesus teaches means prioritising others over ourselves, meeting the needs of others (physical, emotional, spiritual, and/or other needs) even when it costs us, as well as being vulnerable and open to different possibilities. The articles, “Do I Really Need Sixteen Crowns, Doc?” by Dr Caleb Park and “The Mysterious Joys of The Therapeutic Relationship” by Dr Johanna Lynch explored these aspects of hospitality in clinical settings, which resonated with me. If you are a clinician, I’d highly recommend these articles! I also enjoyed being challenged by Dr Robert Yee in Love Your Neighbours to consider a Biblically-based hospitable care approach. To follow God’s examples of hospitality, we need more than just good intentions. Miriam White’s honest consideration of the costs and benefits of hospitality in Hospitality In The Home is a must-read.

Hospitality as God intends, draws people to Him. I have personally experienced the radical hospitality of faithful Christians during my growing years. One family in particular drove me to and from church most Sundays for a number of years. Not only did they provide me with transport, but also countless meals, and included me in many of their family outings, and we shared both joys and disappointments. What’s more, they extended their hospitality to my family, drawing my Grandma and Mum to God. In Stories Of Hospitality In Our Hospitals, Dr Rena Ng also shared her encounters of faithful hospitality during her medical training. which led me to praise our Lord! Dr Bo Wong, in his article, Philoxenia, highlighted that “It often takes someone who has been a visitor to be a considerate host”. I agree wholeheartedly. Having experienced radical hospitality, I understand how it feels to be on the receiving end, and how important authenticity, attentiveness, and acceptance are. Discover the ‘right’ way of doing hospital in Practical Ideas for Hospitality in CMDFA by Dr Natasha Yates. Or you may wish to explore practical hospitality with Melody Goh in Hospital in The Home and Dr James White in Second World Ministry By An Accidental Doctor.

Christian hospitality can come in many forms. There is no one-size-fits-all. Both guests and hosts come with a range of personalities, likes and dislikes, strengths and weaknesses. As Dr Kristen Dang shared in her article, Come, Prepare The Welcome, “Jesus tells us to come as we are and let Him use us to bless“. Indeed, several of our authors shared how God used their uniqueness for hospitality. The Joy Of Connection Through Creativity by Dr Joanne Ma put a smile on my face as I followed her journey from “not-so-creative” to creative entrepreneur. In Being Found And Offering Help, Dr Catherine Hollier invites us to join her in building a hospitable community of Christian healthcare professionals. I hope these articles, as well as Out-of-the-box Hospitality encourage you to get excited and creative.

If you would like to invite fellow Christian healthcare professionals and students to join you in your Christian hospitality endeavours, please email us via lukesjournalcmdfa@gmail.com.

Every issue of Luke’s Journal is a team effort involving many volunteers and many hours of work. Would you join me in especially thanking our reviewers/proofreaders including Elise, Kristen, Melanie, Sarah, Shaun, Simon, and Tammy, and our ‘unsung hero’ webmaster, Peter? 

I also want to thank you, our readers, for supporting Luke’s Journal. I pray that this issue on Christian Hospitality will encourage you to bless those around you.

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