I have responsibility for my yard, but not for others’; I nurture what is mine, and I don’t have to take responsility when others’ lives are messed up. We must not trespass into territory where we don’t properly belong. And we have a

right to exclude others from our private space or our family’s territory if they would not be helpful there.

But this can be selfish if taken too far. As a result of our fallenness, this planet and its inhabitants have substituted ‘territoriality’ (‘my space – keep out’) for ‘hospitality’ (‘my space – you’re welcome!’).

The Bible has many stories and injunctions about reversing this effect of the Fall. We are to house the homeless, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger.

We’ll be asked questions about all this at the ‘Great Judgment’, Jesus warned (Matthew 25). Knowing the fine balance between being helpful, and being ‘spattered all over the wall of needfulness’ is something to be learned through hard experience.

So sometimes, Lord, you are the stranger I am to help. And sometimes I am to leave others as they are and seek you out in the solitary places. Amen.