Hospitality Fifth-Grade Style

• Snacks to share

• Introduce the idea of hospitality by reading aloud:

Hospitality was an imporant obligationin biblical times. The emphasis on hospitality might have come from the nomadic background of the peoples of the ancient Near East,in which receiving hospitality was often a necessity for survival. The rule of hospitality in biblical times required the entire community to provide food for an unepected or late-night guest. Bread was a basic food of the time and was seen as a hospitality food (meant to be given away). In the Lord's Prayer when we pray for "our daily bread," we are prayed to have what we need to be hospitable to others.

• Present the idea of inviting another group of children in to enjoy a snack.
• Make arrangements with the catechetical leader and other catechist.
• Set a date and determine what snacks are to be brought in.
• Just before the other group arrives, remind the children about what they discussed about hospitality and emphasize that an important part of hospitality is getting to know those who have been invited.
• After the get-together with the other group, take the idea of hospitality one step further and collect food for the local food pantry.
• If possible, invite a representative of the food pantry in to speak to the children.