Lets begin again with the terminology.
Abraham offering hospitality to angels
Radical. This word is often used in a way that indicates something ‘extreme’. (We hear about young men being “radicalised” into “extremism”—euphemisms for terrorism) In fact, it’s primary meaning is “relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something; far-reaching or thorough.” Another of its related meanings is concerned with the root of something. This is the particular sense in which I use it here. Something that is rooted in a fundamental change, that which represents the very essence—the essential reality—of something, its nature. In other words, something that is not superficial, not simply a layer or form of behaviour that covers over something deeper or more fundamental and defining.
Hospitality. This typically refers to a “generous or friendly reception of guests, visitors or strangers.” I’ve come to believe that hospitality is fundamental to Christian faith. I sometimes joke that the eleventh commandment is “Thou shalt have tea and coffee after a service,” however, it really needs to be a value that radiates throughout our lives. At it’s core, hospitality represents an openness to “the Other”—the one or ones who are not like us. More than ever, in a globalising world that is increasingly thrusting together people of different faiths, cultures and worldviews, this openness is needed.
Hospitality begins in our hearts, with a capacity to listen to the hearts of others. This doesn’t mean being continually trampled upon verbally by talkative people, rather it means having the courage to ‘hear’ with the ears of our hearts, the struggles and pains being carried by another, often communicated not with the multiplicity of their conversation, but through expressions, choices and subtly expressed yearnings. Hospitality so exercised has the capacity to restore the soul of another through a cheerful word, an insight or word of advice, to lift the spirit, or to challenge another to turn from self-delusion and to re-embrace the journey of life in all its hard, even harsh, realities. Hospitality so exercised has the capacity to call out to and revive human dignity and integrity.
Homes are probably the second most important reality in the experience of offering hospitality. If we are not ‘at home’ ourselves in the inner spaces of our homes, it is very difficult to invite others in. Hospitality must first be exercised amongst family members and between husband and wife, father and mother, in particular. ‘Hospitals’ are places of healing, respite and restoration. Hospitality is directly related to these concepts and our homes are thus intended to be places of healing and respite from the grind of daily responsibility, offering restoration through rest and relaxation. To offer these rare ‘commodities’ to others through opening our homes is a precious gift indeed.
Alongside homes, shared spaces—workplaces, offices, staff rooms, school rooms, waiting rooms, cafeterias, cars, churches—offer significant possibilities for innovative and mutual hospitality. Joseph Myers offers an excellent study
The Good News of the Kingdom of God is itself a message of hospitality. Of a king who has made great sacrifice in order to provide a spiritual feast to which those far and wide are invited. This is not the story of an angry deity looking out for wretched sinners to scold, but of one who made himself poor, in order to offer us wealth, peace and wellbeing—shalom, as its known in Hebrew. That’s true hospitality and our lives, as members of Christian communities, or as individual followers of Christ working to represent him amongst the ‘poor in spirit’ ought to reflect the nature of our hospitable God: offering reconciliation (inviting others into fellowship), restoration (healing, hospitalisation) and redemptive refuge (radical deliverance from influence of idolatrous and evil powers) to those who are ready to receive.
Let brotherly friendship continue; but don’t forget to be friendly to outsiders, for in so doing, some people, without knowing it, have entertained angels.
Hebrews 13.2
Related Articles
- Between Church and State: Hospitality (beliefnet.com)
