Holy Priest-Martyr Cyprian. Holy Martyr Justina. Holy Andrew, Fool for the Sake of Christ.
Philippians 2:24-30. Luke 6:46-7:1.
Read Philippians 2:24-30
We hear a beautiful instruction from St. Paul about how we are to receive our brothers and sisters in Christ: “So receive him in the Lord with all joy.” (Phil 2:29). The two main points are ‘In the Lord’ and ‘with joy.’ This means do not exclude the Lord, but rather invite the Lord into your encounter and time together. It also means making this encounter of hospitality a moment that will glorify Jesus Christ. Offer a prayer for the person you are about to interact with. Greet them in the name of the Lord: ‘Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!’
Make use of this opportunity to imitate our Lord Jesus Christ. Seek to be of service to them: “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14). Strive to lift them up if needed: “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up.” (1 Thes 5:11). If there is a need, “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Gal 6:2). In other words, love them: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35).
If we strive to live this way, giving glory to Christ through our love for one another, we can be guaranteed that each encounter will be filled with joy, and our lives will be radically transformed.