107. In all the duties of hospitality kindly
feeling must be shown to all, but greater respect must be given to the
upright. Cic. de
Off. II. 20. For
“Whosoever receiveth a righteous man, in the name of a righteous
man, shall receive a righteous man’s reward,” S. Matt. x. 41. as the Lord has said. Such is the
favour in which hospitality stands with God, that not even the draught
of cold water shall fail of getting a reward. S. Matt. x. 42. Thou seest that Abraham, in looking
for guests, received God Himself to entertain. Gen. xviii. 1 ff. Thou seest that Lot received the
angels. Gen. xix. 3. And how dost thou know that when
thou receivest men, thou dost not receive Christ? Christ may be
in the stranger that comes, for Christ is there in the person of the
poor, as He Himself says: “I was in prison and thou camest
to Me, I was naked and thou didst clothe Me.” S. Matt. xxv. 36..