"Let us show hospitality to Christ present in the stranger...

Taken from the Episcopal Devotions Facebook page:

Friends, here is a reading from a sermon of Gregory the Great [1604]

Two disciples were walking together. They did not believe, yet they were talking about Jesus. Suddenly, he appeared, but under characteristics which they could not recognize. To their bodily eyes the Lord thus manifested externally what was taking place in their innermost depths, in the thoughts of their heart. The disciples were inwardly divided between love and doubt. The Lord was really present at their side, but he did not let himself be recognized. He offered his presence to these disciples who spoke of him, but because they doubted him he hid his true visage from them. He spoke to them and reproached them for their little sense. He interpreted for them every passage of Scripture which referred to him, but since he was still a stranger to the faith of their heart he acted as if he were going farther.

In acting in such a manner, the Truth who is sincere was not being deceitful: he was showing himself to the eyes of his disciples as he appeared in their minds. And the Lord wished to see whether these disciples, who did not yet love him as God, would at least be friendly to him under the guise of a stranger. But those with whom Truth walked could not have been far from charity; they invited him to share their lodging, as one does with a traveler. Can we say simply that they invited him? The Scripture says that "they pressed him." It shows us by this example that when we invite strangers under our roof, our invitation must be a pressing one.

They thus set the table, serve the food, and in the breaking of bread discover the God whom they had failed to come to know in the explanation of the Scriptures. It was not in hearing the precepts of God that they were enlightened, but in carrying them out: "It is not those who hear the law who are just in the sight of God; it is those who keep it who will be declared just." If anyone wishes to understand what you have heard, hasten to put into practice whatever you have grasped. The Lord was not recognized while he was speaking; he was pleased to make himself known while he was offered something to eat. Let us then, beloved, love to practice charity. It is of this that Paul speaks to us: "Love your fellow Christians always. Do not neglect to show hospitality, for by that means some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Peter also says: "Be mutually hospitable without complaining." And Truth himself speaks to us of it: "I was a stranger and you welcomed me." "As often as you did it for one of my least brothers [or sisters]," the Lord will declare on the day of judgment, "you did it for me."

Despite this, we are so slothful in the face of the grace of hospitality! Let us appreciate the greatness of this virtue. Let us receive Christ at our table so as to be welcomed at his eternal supper. Let us show hospitality to Christ present in the stranger now so that at the judgment he will not ignore us as strangers but will welcome us as brothers and sisters into his Kingdom.