Daily Bread April 30

The Lord Is Risen Indeed
By Rick Maupin, Council of Twelve Apostles


Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?” That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, “The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!” Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread. -Luke 24:31-35 NRSV

I have been blessed by many acts of hospitality as I have journeyed throughout the world. Many people have invited me to lodge in their homes, to come and visit, and to be a guest at their table. I recall a journey in Russia with former apostle Leonard Young when we were invited on several occasions to come and sit at a family’s table for a meal. I was a stranger to those folks, I spoke another language, I came from a different culture, and I held religious beliefs that were different from those of my hosts.

As I sat in those homes, I remembered an earlier time in my life when I was told that these people, the Russians, who were now graciously extending hospitality to me, were my enemies. However, as I sat around those tables of my new Russian friends, I could hardly remember a time when I had been treated with such acceptance and blessed with such rich hospitality. A stranger and a foreigner, maybe even once seen as an enemy, I was now a welcomed guest at their table.

More than once we have been challenged in the sacred texts to extend hospitality to the stranger. However, because of fear which breeds prejudice, the airwaves, the internet, and other media are often filled with voices that warn against extending hospitality to the stranger and the foreigner.

Cleopas and his friend took a risk and extended a hand of hospitality.  In so doing they experienced the resurrected Christ. What new facets of God’s grace might we see as we reach out in acceptance and hospitality to the stranger and the foreigner?

Prayer Phrase

Spirit, now live in me.

Spiritual Practice

Breathe deeply and enter a few minutes of silence. Be attentive to where you sense new life emerging in you. Search your memories of the previous day. When did you notice the sacredness of life in surprising places or forms in the world around you?

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.

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