Theology Thursday 17: Is Hospitality Required?
Terrell explains why sweet tea sometimes prevents him from being hospitable. We talk about what the Bible says about hospitality. Finally we discuss the Japanese concept of OMOIYARI.
Why is hospitality important?
Genesis 19 – Sodom & Gomorrah | Matthew 10
14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. [1]
Deu 23
3 No Ammonite or Moabite shall be admitted to the assembly of the Lord. Even to the tenth generation, none of their descendants shall be admitted to the assembly of the Lord, 4 because they did not meet you with food and water on your journey out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam son of Beor, from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you[2]
[1] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Mt 10:14–15). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
[2] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version. (1989). (Dt 23:3–4). Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers.
A form of hospitality from the Japanese perspective
OMOIYARI [ omo – ya – he]
Omoiyari is deeper than hospitality or customer service
Omoiyari: “It means the active sensitivity to other people; “It anticipates the needs and desires of other people. It’s not broad-brush, it’s fine-tuned.” [source]
Often directly translated as empathy, omoiyari refers to anticipating the needs of others. When a supplier practices omoiyari, he gives the customer what he wants before he even has to think of it, or ask for it. [source]