We Filipinos are known for our hospitality. Did you know that being hospitable is also a mark of a loving neighbor? Alamin natin iyan sa ating devotion ngayon.

Huwag maging mabigat sa inyong loob ang pagtanggap sa inyong mga kapatid sa inyong bahay.

1 Pedro 4:9

Noong bata pa si Celine, naranasan niya ang umiyak dahil napagsaraduhan siya ng bintana ng kapitbahay nila sa kalagitnaan ng panonood ng paborito niyang palabas. Wala kasi silang sariling TV kaya nakikinood lang siya. Wala siyang magawa kapag nagdesisyon na ang kapitbahay nilang ipagdamot ang TV nila. Kaya naman nang magkatrabaho, she bought the biggest TV she could afford. And because she knows the feeling ng napapagsarhan ng bintana, she started a program of gathering kids around their community para sa libreng film showing kada Sabado.

Masakit sa pakiramdam ang mapagsarhan — to feel like an outcast. In a world where everyone seems busy, distracted, or too protective of what they call their own, hospitality has become rare. Wouldn’t it be nice if the world we live in makes us feel loved, seen, and welcomed?

Ito ang payo ni Peter sa Christians sa 1 Peter 4:9, to offer hospitality without grumbling. Filipinos are known to be hospitable. Nalilimitahan lang naman tayo kapag iniisip nating mawawalan tayo when we practice hospitality.

Contrary to popular belief, hindi naman kailangan ng magarbong handa to show hospitality. Jesus taught us in the Bible that hospitality starts with opening your heart. Hindi lang nag-preach si Jesus tungkol sa pagmamahal, He made people feel loved. He listened and shared. He gave His time and made even the broken  and the rejected feel welcome.

Hospitality is really about making space for people, for stories, for connection. A shared meal, a cup of coffee, a simple “Kumusta ka?” can speak a message louder than a sermon.

When we welcome others with sincerity — whether it’s in our home, our church, or even just in our schedule — we reflect the heart of God. Love becomes real when we go out of our way to make others feel it.

Sana ay patuloy ninyo kaming patuluyin sa inyong puso para pag-aaralan natin bukas ang last part ng ating series na “What Does It Mean to Love My Neighbor?”