Hospitality Month? First I’ve heard of it…
Quite possibly it is – but that is fine. See it as an impromptu invitation and gift. It is not a “program” or set of prescribed activities that will add to your busyness. It is rather an invitation to enjoy what you are already doing, in a new way, on a different level. In our parish during these next four Sundays, I will be preaching on the theme of hospitality. The Gospel readings in this year’s lectionary series are from Luke, who makes hospitality one of the major themes in his telling of the Jesus story. So it is an opportunity too good to miss!
You are also invited to think, during this month, about the people who are your guests or hosts, at church or at home – maybe your family, friends from inside or outside the church, or people who are new to you or to our churches. What is it that happens when you offer them hospitality? What happens when you are welcomed by others? Maybe much more than you think! The following thoughts are offered for your reflection.
(I acknowledge here the excellent article Evangelisation through Hospitality by Adam Maida, Roman Catholic Bishop of the Archdiocese of Detroit, published on the Diocesan web site, from which I have borrowed significantly.)
The Eucharist (Holy Communion) as meal of hospitality
In His earthly life, Jesus was both guest and host; He knew how to receive as well as how to give. While He let His feet be washed and anointed by Mary Magdalene, He also took the initiative to wash the feet of His disciples. At the Last Supper He was the host presiding at the meal. Yet, in another way, He was a guest at the meal since He was using the Upper Room, a space provided for Him and arranged by His disciples.
Jesus often taught at table. He used the setting of the multiplication of loaves and fishes for His teaching about the gift of the Eucharist, the fulfillment of the promises of the Hebrew Scriptures, that God would dwell with His people and they would enjoy His abiding and nourishing presence. Clearly, the Eucharist expresses profound and extraordinary hospitality – our receiving the Lord as guest of our souls and the foreshadowing of the way we will be His guests forever in the banquet of eternal life.
Luke's Gospel: A study in hospitality
In all four Gospels, Christ is depicted as the "divine guest" who has come to His people. This theme is especially true of St. Luke's Gospel which we hear throughout this lectionary year. Consider for example, one of the opening scenes of the infancy account of St. Luke – Mary's 90-mile journey to visit her cousin Elizabeth, offering her consolation and encouragement during the final months of her pregnancy. In chapter two, Christ's parents could find no hospitality in the normal places where travelers lodged; and so He was born in a humble stable and laid in a manger, a feeding trough for animals.
In St. Luke's Gospel, Jesus taught His disciples that "the Son of Man has nowhere to rest His head." He was totally dependent on the generous acceptance of the people who heard Him preach. As He formed His disciples, He encouraged them to accept whatever generosity people offered them as they journeyed from town to town, preaching and healing in His name.
Many of the parables in St. Luke's Gospel focus on table fellowship, especially toward sinners and strangers. Consider these many passages of St. Luke:
- The penitent woman in Luke 7 washed the feet of Jesus with her tears while He was at table in the house of the Pharisee.
- The Prodigal Son was given a great banquet when he returned home.
- The Good Samaritan provided for the victim along the road to Jericho.
- Martha and Mary offered hospitality by providing food and a listening ear at Bethany.
- Zaccheus, the wealthy tax collector, welcomed Jesus into his home.
- As he presents the Lord's Passion, St. Luke gives special emphasis to the Last Supper and Jesus' message of service.
- After His Resurrection, Jesus revealed Himself to the two disciples who offered Him hospitality on the road to Emmaus.
Again and again, the sharing (in conversation and action) of the Good News and offering of hospitality go hand-in-hand in Luke. Jesus was the hidden God looking for a home; any and all who welcomed Him heard the Good News and allowed their lives to be changed by it. They, in turn, were able to share the Good News through Eucharistic fellowship and normal human kindness toward the stranger – things we also read about in the journeys of St. Paul, as recorded by St. Luke in his other great writing, the Acts of the Apostles.
Welcoming the stranger and the immigrant
In our parish, we have been blessed by the Lord with new friends and members coming to our worship services and becoming involved. Some of these folk have come to us through the community meal, and some as worshippers or seekers of God. At Knox we are hosts in a special sense, sharing our church facilities with other Christian communities. All these blessed guests are God-sent, for their good and for ours too.
In our world today millions of people have been forced to move from their native land, many of them displaced because of war or economic crisis. Countless refugees struggle for basic human necessities. Some of these are making a new future in our communities. In our own city, Melbourne, our Lutheran churches are learning to offer hospitality to African immigrants and refugees who have come seeking new homes. We too, in both our congregations, are welcoming these new brothers and sisters. We need to grow always deeper and stronger in the hospitality of Jesus, to better receive these new friends.
First deeds, then words
Our attitude of hospitality creates a situation in which we learn and change, and allow others to get in touch with their spiritual hunger for the Gospel. In the case of people who have been disenfranchised or disillusioned with the Church, our gestures of hospitality – whether individually or as a parish – can often rekindle the flame of faith that has all but died out.
The Gospel message and example of Jesus Christ proclaims the power of love and mercy; it challenges us to, first of all, open our minds and hearts with reverence and joy toward every stranger. We are also reminded not to overlook the presence of the Lord in the people we most easily take for granted – those with whom we live and work, and our own family members. The power of the Gospel can be unleashed anywhere and everywhere that hearts are open to give and receive.
Christian hospitality is one of the most powerful ways to help people come in touch with the Lord Jesus, who Himself, was both guest and host during His days on Earth. Our simple and natural acts of welcome and kindness at church and at home carry with them the powerful secret ingredient of the Holy Spirit’s work, Jesus’ welcome.
So have a good hospitality month – whether you are taking your turn at the community meal, having family from interstate in your home, being hosted by others, “on the door” at church as new-comers arrive, or visiting somebody who needs your friendship and encouragement. Be yourself and be Christ to others! And as we worship and receive Jesus’ presence and life in the Lord’s Supper, let us strive to put into practice the hospitality we celebrate at His altar.