We always think of hospitality as inviting someone into our space. In Luke 19, Jesus turns hospitality on its' head by inviting himself into Zacchaeus' space.
I love the act of hospitality as a spiritual practice; it reminds me to be more expansive in how I live out my faith.
Also, I just tried to register for the January conference and Eventbrite says it is “sold out online”. Are there other ways to register, including virtual option?
“Mutual welcome.” Such an important concept in succinct language. Often welcome is only associated as being said and done by someone being visited, but the visitor also must reach out to welcome. I want to remember this term and its guidance.
Two interesting observations about the Genesis passage: (1) Abraham serves a meal to his visitors with meat and dairy being served together. This is not kosher! While the Law had not yet been given. the Talmud insists that Abraham obeyed the Torah even before it was established as law. So radical was his hospitality that he served a meal that he could not even eat himself. (2) The action words in the passage portray a real sense of urgency on the part of Abraham. He ran to the herd. He ordered the measures of flour quickly, etc. This speed is in stark contrast to the loooooong time between God's first promise and the eventual birth of Isaac. God is steadfast in fulfilling God's promise, but it is on God's time, not on Abraham's time.
I loved these Musings! Went to church, prompted by this Gospel reading instantly to think of teachers @ public schools & universities in my hyper-red state now seriously threatened with job loss for teaching social justice in this seemingly Extraordinary Time. Priest at church I visited today gave a very Ordinary-Time sermon about parenting challenges through this Gospel’s lens, but your Musings struck a profoundly resounding chord with my initial thoughts about teachers’ welcoming their diversely Othered students with serious curricular interest in their histories & cultures at the knowledge banquets they preside over. Just as “The Episcopal Church Welcomes You,” public education is indeed an exercise in cultural hospitality! How ironic that Christian Nationalist politicians aim now to shut down that hospitality. Which is why your reading of hospitality in today’s lessons is so very much on the mark for me. Thank you.
Thank you, Dianna! I just finished watching both the pre-service interview and the church service. You challenge me to grow to see where my theology doesn’t allow for openness and love.
I struggle to do both – to have both a healthy and sound faith that is truly loving. That is what hospitality is — love
Powerful and beautiful perspective on these two verses. Since moving to a new state 5 years ago as a single mom with my daughter with disabilities, I walked into new churches hopeful for connections but, sadly it was the people in the pews who were judgmental and lacking hospitality! I should write a book on the truly ugly and ignorant things that have been said to our faces and behind our backs. Now, a newcomer again in another new state/community, it was the pure welcome we received by the community and leadership in a new church - that hosted you for an entire weekend - that gave me the courage to enter a church again with my daughter. “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
So thankful for this writing this morning. One of my very first college texts (back in 1959!) was "Sex and Temperament in Three Primitive Societies/ Margaret Meade. I was taken how in one instance the society family provided a place within the community for gender acceptance of males who were different from the "norm" male roles. Interesting juxtaposition to todays Hospitality theme. Personal lesson, remembering to practice hospitality within family as well as with strangers. !
Walking the Camino of Santiago de Compostela I entered a village late one afternoon, hot and tired. As I waked downhill on the cobblestone street, I passed a house by the side of the road. The owner of this home had placed a table with glasses and pitchers of cool water for anyone who passed by. There was also a simple sign that said, “Buen Camino”.
As I read the Matthew passage, I was overwhelmed by these words
“ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd”.
I am not attending a faith community right now - and ‘harassed and helpless’ made my eyes and heart fill with tears . Those two words are my experience at this moment - and then new thoughts emerged as I read further - I can shake off the dust! I can move on! I can remember the words ‘ He had compassion for them'. I had never thought about ‘kingdom promises only being profoundly possible when hospitality is offered’. Thank you, as always, for new understandings and new energy.
What also came to mind is the painting by William Holman Hunt ‘The Light of the World’. Jesus stands at the door and knocks. There is no handle on the outside. Only the one inside can open the door. And what does Jesus offer -(paraphrase) ‘You open the door, I will enter, and I will dine with you and you with me'. We will dine with each other. Mutuality in 'living the kingdom message of love'.
So true! I have just found a new faith community, mainly because they hosted Diana for a weekend, but truly because as I reached out to them to find out if we would be welcome in the pews, they came to us filled with loving hospitality. First impressions are so important.
When I applied to enter training as a spiritual director in my diocese, I quoted the Matthew passage cited this Sunday. I felt spiritual direction was a form of hospitality for the "harassed and helpless" that we all are at some level. And in doing Enneagram workshops, I always opened with the Rumi poem about welcoming even the most difficult parts of our selves. Thank you for reminding me how vital hospitality in all its many forms is to our spiritual journey.
I just recently completed a transcontinental bicycle ride (yes, I'm a little crazy). But so many times when I was stopped beside the road grabbing a drink and a bite of an energy bar people would stop and ask, "Are you okay?" I was fine and didn't need any help, but their act of kindness and concern just meant so much to me. I hope I have the courage to reciprocate their kindness with others that may cross my path.
We always think of hospitality as inviting someone into our space. In Luke 19, Jesus turns hospitality on its' head by inviting himself into Zacchaeus' space.
Hospitality is Grace.
I love the act of hospitality as a spiritual practice; it reminds me to be more expansive in how I live out my faith.
Also, I just tried to register for the January conference and Eventbrite says it is “sold out online”. Are there other ways to register, including virtual option?
That was a mistake on Eventbrite's page! We're fixing it. Try again in about an hour.
Thank you!!
It is finally fixed. It was a genuine glitch at Eventbrite. Thanks so much for calling it to my attention.
that's got to be some sort of mistake. I'll check on it.
“Mutual welcome.” Such an important concept in succinct language. Often welcome is only associated as being said and done by someone being visited, but the visitor also must reach out to welcome. I want to remember this term and its guidance.
Two interesting observations about the Genesis passage: (1) Abraham serves a meal to his visitors with meat and dairy being served together. This is not kosher! While the Law had not yet been given. the Talmud insists that Abraham obeyed the Torah even before it was established as law. So radical was his hospitality that he served a meal that he could not even eat himself. (2) The action words in the passage portray a real sense of urgency on the part of Abraham. He ran to the herd. He ordered the measures of flour quickly, etc. This speed is in stark contrast to the loooooong time between God's first promise and the eventual birth of Isaac. God is steadfast in fulfilling God's promise, but it is on God's time, not on Abraham's time.
I loved these Musings! Went to church, prompted by this Gospel reading instantly to think of teachers @ public schools & universities in my hyper-red state now seriously threatened with job loss for teaching social justice in this seemingly Extraordinary Time. Priest at church I visited today gave a very Ordinary-Time sermon about parenting challenges through this Gospel’s lens, but your Musings struck a profoundly resounding chord with my initial thoughts about teachers’ welcoming their diversely Othered students with serious curricular interest in their histories & cultures at the knowledge banquets they preside over. Just as “The Episcopal Church Welcomes You,” public education is indeed an exercise in cultural hospitality! How ironic that Christian Nationalist politicians aim now to shut down that hospitality. Which is why your reading of hospitality in today’s lessons is so very much on the mark for me. Thank you.
Thank you, Dianna! I just finished watching both the pre-service interview and the church service. You challenge me to grow to see where my theology doesn’t allow for openness and love.
I struggle to do both – to have both a healthy and sound faith that is truly loving. That is what hospitality is — love
Can’t tell you how overjoyed I am for you and your daughter to be embraced by a loving community!
Powerful and beautiful perspective on these two verses. Since moving to a new state 5 years ago as a single mom with my daughter with disabilities, I walked into new churches hopeful for connections but, sadly it was the people in the pews who were judgmental and lacking hospitality! I should write a book on the truly ugly and ignorant things that have been said to our faces and behind our backs. Now, a newcomer again in another new state/community, it was the pure welcome we received by the community and leadership in a new church - that hosted you for an entire weekend - that gave me the courage to enter a church again with my daughter. “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
Hebrews 13:2 NRSV
So thankful for this writing this morning. One of my very first college texts (back in 1959!) was "Sex and Temperament in Three Primitive Societies/ Margaret Meade. I was taken how in one instance the society family provided a place within the community for gender acceptance of males who were different from the "norm" male roles. Interesting juxtaposition to todays Hospitality theme. Personal lesson, remembering to practice hospitality within family as well as with strangers. !
Very cool. That would be a fun trip in January. Hmm…
You should come!
Walking the Camino of Santiago de Compostela I entered a village late one afternoon, hot and tired. As I waked downhill on the cobblestone street, I passed a house by the side of the road. The owner of this home had placed a table with glasses and pitchers of cool water for anyone who passed by. There was also a simple sign that said, “Buen Camino”.
As I read the Matthew passage, I was overwhelmed by these words
“ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd”.
I am not attending a faith community right now - and ‘harassed and helpless’ made my eyes and heart fill with tears . Those two words are my experience at this moment - and then new thoughts emerged as I read further - I can shake off the dust! I can move on! I can remember the words ‘ He had compassion for them'. I had never thought about ‘kingdom promises only being profoundly possible when hospitality is offered’. Thank you, as always, for new understandings and new energy.
What also came to mind is the painting by William Holman Hunt ‘The Light of the World’. Jesus stands at the door and knocks. There is no handle on the outside. Only the one inside can open the door. And what does Jesus offer -(paraphrase) ‘You open the door, I will enter, and I will dine with you and you with me'. We will dine with each other. Mutuality in 'living the kingdom message of love'.
So true! I have just found a new faith community, mainly because they hosted Diana for a weekend, but truly because as I reached out to them to find out if we would be welcome in the pews, they came to us filled with loving hospitality. First impressions are so important.
Diana, I hope you'll share your presentation on history as a spiritual practice. Thank you for all you do.
When I applied to enter training as a spiritual director in my diocese, I quoted the Matthew passage cited this Sunday. I felt spiritual direction was a form of hospitality for the "harassed and helpless" that we all are at some level. And in doing Enneagram workshops, I always opened with the Rumi poem about welcoming even the most difficult parts of our selves. Thank you for reminding me how vital hospitality in all its many forms is to our spiritual journey.
I just recently completed a transcontinental bicycle ride (yes, I'm a little crazy). But so many times when I was stopped beside the road grabbing a drink and a bite of an energy bar people would stop and ask, "Are you okay?" I was fine and didn't need any help, but their act of kindness and concern just meant so much to me. I hope I have the courage to reciprocate their kindness with others that may cross my path.
In my dreams I would love to do a ride like that. I’m grateful you had the opportunity. Thanks for sharing this!