The Gift of Hospitality

Got Hope? Tell us why? Visit us on our website or Facebook for details.

Henri Nouwen, once told about a time when he visited a monastery on retreat. The monks at that monastery observed vows of silence and the retreat was to be meditative and prayerful. Nouwen was delayed and had to arrive late on a rainy night well after bedtime. He was met at the door by one of the brothers who greeted him warmly, took his wet coat, and brought him to the kitchen for cup of tea.

They talked late into the night, and Nouwen began to relax and feel ready for the retreat. However, it dawned on him that this monk was supposed to observe silence, and so he asked, “Brother, why are you willing to sit and talk with me?” The monk replied “Of all the duties of the Christian faith and the rules of my order, none is higher than hospitality.”

Did you know that in its original form, “hospitality” combines two separate words, one meaning friend and the other meaning stranger. So from very early on, hospitality has carried with it the idea of making friends out of strangers.

I wonder how that would look for you and me.

Some people I know show hospitality to folks who are in need in their communities by volunteering in food pantries or homeless shelters. Others make a point to bring a cup of cold water to maintenance or lawn care workers. In this time of continued social distancing – even a smile or a kind word can go a long way. The challenge is to remember that of all the duties of the Christian faith, hospitality is near the top!

Let us pray: We thank you O God, for people who have shown hospitality to us, even when we were strangers to them. Give us eyes to see your image in each and every person we meet, and grant us the grace to welcome them as you would welcome them, and as you have welcomed us. Amen.