Hospitality as a Power

Hospitality may sound to some as a passive act of polite manners.  It is more than that.  When hospitality is offered, others are honored, empowered and included.  Hospitality demands respect be given unconditionally to those who receive it.  Hospitality creates a holy space between the giver and receiver.  Hospitality is radical.

 It is also becoming causality of our culture.

The language in our world today is divisive and alienating.  Differing viewpoints are treated with scorn.  Rudeness and hostility is becoming a fact of public and private speech.  Several public events come to mind. 

·        The disrespect of a Representative Joe Wilson towards the office of the President of the United States when he shouted out, “You lie!” from the floor of the U.S. Senate is inexcusable regardless of political preferences. 

·        When Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swifts acceptance speech at the MTV awards by taking the microphone out of her hands and protesting that Beyonce Knowles should have won instead, he was booed.  But the damage and disrespect was already done. 

·        When a cross was burned on the lawn of a family in our area and a mural in town vandalized with obscene painting, the lack of respect was brought home.

These acts perhaps are not the norm.  But they are symptomatic of a greater social illness.  The ability to discern differences and offer respect at the same time is an act of radical hospitality in defiance of the social malaise.

The world often sees religion as a great divider and source of hostility and prejudice in the world.  Those in the “faith” are deemed as worthy and those outside judged and damned.  The only way those outside can be redeemed is to conform to the behavior and opinions of those who are already in.

But that is not the way of Jesus Christ.  He came to redeem and save all.  This includes those who are in and out, up and down, near and far, the familiar and stranger.  When we as a church or individual disciples offer hospitality, we do so in the knowledge we all stand equal in the presence of Christ.  The most radical act of Christ was his unconditional acceptance of all.  It is what gave hope and blessing to sinners of all kinds.  It is what gives hope to each one of us.  It is also what got him killed.

When we talk about radical hospitality in the church, we are talking about more than politeness.  We are demonstrating personal humility, mutual respect and surrender to Christ.  When we see the world not as them and us, but as children of the living Lord called to come together for worship, mission, and service, we will be able to practice radical hospitality.