|
Third Stone: Hospitality Generosity, sharing, including grace and forgiveness Communion "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Genesis 1:1) "You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt." (Deuteronomy 10:19) "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it." (Hebrews 13:2) Hospitality is an action of redemptive generosity as well as a celebration. Its origin is in a sense of gratitude that one has enough for one's needs and a desire to share one's good fortune. The poor, the weak, the vulnerable, and strangers are most in need of hospitality because they are the very ones who do not enjoy an equal portion of the goods of creation. In the ancient world, hospitality to the stranger and to the needy was a holy obligation. Creation was God's first action of magnificent hospitality wherein God created a world that was good and filled with all the things we need to get along and live well. God's hospitality includes not only giving us abundantly all we need, but also God's gracious acceptance of us and generosity toward us in loving and forgiving us when we don't deserve it. When we extend hospitality to others, it is a reflection of gratitude to and trust in a generous God. Aristotle recognized hospitality as the chief of all virtues. There is nothing that fosters a genuine sense of community so much as hospitality. Those who are truly spiritual reflect an attitude of openness and generosity toward the world and all its people. Such people do not go around making negative distinctions between themselves and others. They are not only generous with what they have, they are generous in their assessment of others; in forgiveness and acceptance of people. They exhibit an attitude of humility that looks for ways to serve the needs of others rather than being served. They truly rejoice in the good fortune of others and are not envious or covetous. The Gospel of Luke is the gospel of hospitality. Jesus went out of his way to befriend and help people whom others had shut out and disapproved of. In doing so, he helped us understand God's hosptality to us when we are in need and calls on us to show the same spirit of hospitality to others. back to Stepping Stones |