We seem for some reason to keep thinking that being hospitable is about being nice to people. But once again, as we remember the stories of Jesus, we're reminded that Jesus wasn't so nice to the people toward whom he extended hospitality. He didn't "like" the people he welcomed; he loved them, and from that love began a relationship that wasn't "nice" but gave those he touched a meaning and value beyond imagination.
Anglicans Online, an independent website dedicated to all things Anglicana, reminded me of this idea of hospitality not as a set of gestural niceties but as something vigorous and demanding. Hospitality that compels us not to like "strangers" but to love them, and in doing so become committed to them.
An excerpt:
"Recently while worshipping away from home we were at a charming Episcopal church high in the mountains of the Western USA. It was full to bursting with worshippers; the ushers set up several rows of folding chairs after the pews filled, and there were folks standing in the back even then*. It was quite exhilarating to see an Episcopal church with standing room only. The worship service was very well done, though we could have lived without the hymn praising 'loud boiling test tubes'.
"In front of the church, we had noticed the flagpole shown in the photograph [above]. After the service we went to socialize at coffee hour, and found someone whom we felt comfortable asking about the flags. This chap's answer was
'Our former bishop hated inclusiveness, and during one visit he said to the rector 'Dammit, why don't you just put a flag out front saying 'Fags welcome here!'?'. The rector replied 'Because we didn't think of it. Thanks for the idea.'"
Read it all here.
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