Christianity grew in a desert people; hospitality could be a matter of life or death when food and shelter were needed. What would have been lost had Jesus and his family never been welcomed into Egypt shortly after his birth? Shunning, the opposite of hospitality, was a punishment exposing people to the dangers of the wilderness and loneliness - the latter, as recent scientific research has shown, carries big health risks. ‘Hospitality’ (from Latin hospes - guest, stranger, and hostis - stranger, enemy) is kindness or welcome for the “other.”‘Hotel,’ ‘hospice,’ ‘hospital,’ ‘host’ are connected. In Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke, we find ushpiz (guest). The importance of welcoming the ushpiz is found in numerous biblical references; we are reminded that even strangers may be aspects of God for us (Heb 13:2). Jesus’ wandering ministry depended entirely on the hospitality of local people. He asks us to love both neighbours and enemies. Churches that welcome fulfil their mission of helping people to get to God; embracing without judgment or exclusion. This can be tough work with people we disagree with or don’t like, when we have to discern where the boundaries lie at home or church (do we let every homeless person through our doors?) or when ‘rules’ (e.g. who can/cannot take communion) or the language we use causes disconnection. Hospitality applies also to ourselves; forgiving and becoming well integrated persons who are thus better placed to be authentically welcoming to others. Jesus said, “Follow me” (without caveats, everyone is invited) leading by example; arms outstretched to welcome all.

Stephen G Wright, Spiritual Director

Sacred Space Foundation

Mungrisdale