By Dr. Synesio Lyra, Jr.
It’s preferable for one to have a “yes face” instead of a “no face.” Both types exist in any society and each represents a basic attitude toward people in general, and to the ones who are potential acquaintances or true friends. The “yes face” people are to ones more ready to extend hospitality to another, while those who wear a “no face” retain a posture of hostility toward anyone, even without a specific reason.
The idea of hospitality is as old as the human race. Throughout the narratives of the Old Testament Scriptures one notices several examples of the patriarchs of old being surprised by the arrival of strangers at the doors of their tents, without denying a welcome and whatever assistance was needed by the visitors.
Throughout the history of human kind countless, similar episodes are found in which this positive quality toward others has been, and continues to be, a significant factor extended by people of many races, religions, occupying a great variety of lands around the globe.
In the 21st century people tend to live very independently, and sometimes manifest selfish life-styles. While many can act in a cordial way toward others, not everyone displays that important characteristic, known as hospitality. Obviously, we live at a time when extra caution needs to be maintained toward people, until a greater sense of trust and security can be established in relation to others. But that in itself should not prevent that pleasant steps be taken in that direction.
Obviously, hospitality must first exist in one’s heart before it becomes an external reality in personal relationships. Yet, hospitality is not limited to opening one’s home to anyone at anytime, for anything. But one’s heart can remain hospitable as we meet people in the neighborhood we live, among our co-workers, toward people we see with certain frequency in a restaurant, in stores, and other locations which we and they visit regularly.
While hospitality may take a variety of formats among those who practice it, there is no compulsion in having to open one’s home for other people, whether for a visit, for a meal, or even for overnight stays. Some persons can do that with ease while others, unable to do so, may still be champions at hospitality in their interactions with other humans.
You can practice hospitality wherever you are, by the attitudes you display, by the gentle encouragement you provide, by the wise advice you may offer, and by countless meaningful ways that impact other lives and make them truly feel at home in your presence. Most of all, it is to make people sense that you are a veritable hospitality center on which they may depend at times of distress, or for any other type of special need, and to which they may go without fear of rejection! Hostility, on the other hand, can and should be avoided altogether!