There is a nice Polish tradition that on Christmas Eve, when the family is setting up for dinner, they always make one extra place at the table for an ‘unexpected guest’, for someone who might be traveling, homeless, cold, lonely, or hungry -- anyone who comes by that night should be welcomed to their table. I don’t think that ever happens, or that anyone has actually been welcomed to a family’s table, but at least we have this nice tradition. And this tradition comes from Jesus’ teaching who said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” He also said that we must be able to find Him in other people, even those who are sick, poor, homeless, or rejected. It is easier to find God in beautiful nature, in gold tabernacles and in majestic basilicas, but much more difficult to find Him in another person. But remember: “whoever receives the one I send receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.”
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