Why is the Church called the “inn” that is open for all humanity (Luke 10:34)?
Q546 · The Eminence of the Church
Origen says, “He carries the half-dead man, and brings him to the pandochium (inn) that is, the Church, which accepts everyone24 and denies its help to no one. Jesus calls everyone to the Church when he says, "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I shall refresh you (Matt. 11:28).”1099
St. Severus of Antioch also says, “The ‘inn’ is the church, which receives and accommodates all men, for we no more hear according to the shadows of the law and the allegorical worship: ‘An Ammonite or Moabite shall not enter the assembly of the Lord forever’ (Deut. 23:3; Neh. 13:1). Instead we now hear, ‘Go, therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit’ (Matt. 28:19); and ‘In every nation, whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him’ (Acts 10:35). After the Samaritan brought him to the inn, he ‘took care of him’ (Luke 10:34). So after the church was formed from the Gentiles who used to be dead on account of their worship of many gods, Christ Himself now dwells within her and grants her every spiritual grace as it is written, ‘you are the temple of the living God … I will dwell in them, and walk among them; I will be their God; and they shall be My people’ (2 Cor. 6:16).”
The Fathers cited
- St. Severus of Antioch