My daughter with special needs and I arrived at the train station too early to board the train; too late to buy lunch and eat it outside. So, we found a bench and I pulled out a banana I had packed in my purse. This should tie her over until we can board and then eat. Next to us, two families from India circled around with their children. My daughter began to sign “beautiful” to the moms and I translated for her. They smiled and thanked her while they busily passed out pink plastic bowls and spoons to everyone. The husbands spooned out rice. Next thing I knew, I was handed a bowl of curry rice. I tried to refuse, but they insisted they had brought too much and that we should eat it. Of course, it was simply delicious. 

This small act of kindness from strangers made me think about hospitality. And honestly what does it mean for me as a Christian living in my host country of Taiwan? Jesus showed hospitality by feeding thousands when they were hungry and needed food (Luke 9:10-17). He listened to children and attended to the needs of many strangers (Luke 18:15-17). But he was also the guest of dinner parties (Luke 14:1-23). And on one occasion he invited himself to stay at a tax collector’s home (Luke 19:1-10).  

Jesus was both host and guest. Hospitality is not about food and the home. I think it’s about looking up and seeing the needs of those around you. Like the sweet family from India who offered a woman and her adult child a simple bowl of curry rice. I also think it is about conversations and listening. And maybe this is why this moment in time has brought questions around the word “hospitality”. You see my focus was on my daughter and keeping her occupied. It was on the clock and making sure we didn’t miss the train. It was not on making conversation with these two sweet families, pointing them to Christ. They may have been Christians, but I have no idea because my focus was on me. Maybe not all conversations need to be the full gospel or even lengthy, but like a bowl of rice isn’t a full meal, there should always be something that can offer a taste of the Lord’s goodness.