In Biblical times and in desert areas, travellers would often travel across long distances by foot or by saddled animal. Their feet would become dusty and encrusted in dirt.
People would place jars of water at the thresholds of their homes and the weary traveller would wash his or her feet with the water. The epitome of a hospitable host would be for the host to wash the feet of the guest himself.
As we enter into the season of Lent, perhaps it may be prudent at this juncture to do a raincheck on how hospitable and welcoming we have been to our own ministry members, to our parishioners, and to visitors to our parish.
Have we been hospitable, or have people become sick with our hospitality?
Short articles by Brian Bartholomew Tan