S. Ruth's Reflections
December 1st, 2008
Hospitality
Variations of Hospitality
One of the virtues that St. Benedict promotes extensively is that of hospitality, which is the willingness to welcome Christ into our lives as well as to open our hearts to all of God’s people. In my experience I have come to recognize different expressions of hospitality. One is a supermarket hospitality which says: “Come on in. We are very happy to see you. We have everything you want, so take more than you need. Just pay before you leave.” Another variation is the hospitality of good manners: “I welcome you into my life, but I have some expectations of you. Please leave no fingerprints behind, depart when I yawn, and show some gesture of gratitude.” Then there is Biblical hospitality: “I welcome you with open heart and arms, for you are a holy child of God. Since God has brought you into my life, I offer you a room in my heart and expect nothing in return.” And finally there is Divine hospitality: “All I have is yours. I keep nothing for myself. I want you to have everything that is mine. Even if you don’t love me in return, I will keep loving you and welcoming you.” Can I can take the risk to move from supermarket hospitality to Divine hospitality, especially with those persons I live and work with daily?
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