The lead piece is from "Amazing Grace by Kathleen Norris. In this book she takes many of the words and images of the faith and attempts to put some reality and life to them.
HOSPITALITY
Norris turns to the Benedictine community to discuss hospitality and how these monks differ from the "monks" of the "Heaven's Gate" cult who attempted to catch a space ship and escape from Earth following a comet.
(The Heaven's Gate monks) did not seem much like the celibate men and women of the Benedictine communities I know. And I decided that the main difference is hospitality. I have been told by monks and nuns that hospitality is the fruit of their celibacy; they do not mean to scorn the flesh but live in such a way as to remain unencumbered by exclusive, sexual relationships. The goal is being free to love others, non-exclusively and non-possessively, both within their monastic community and without. St. Benedict says, "A monastery is never without guest,"... What Benedict says might be seen as a way to define a monastery - if it regularly exercises enough hospitality so as to attract guests, it is a monastery. If it doesn't, it is not.... In my experience, it is extremely rare for a guest...to be made to feel unwelcome, let alone like someone who is contaminating the monastic purity of the place. Benedict knew that this tension would be there, I believe this is why he so emphatically states in his Rule that "all guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ."
Hospitality insists that we stay connected. When I think of the incarnation - I think of hospitality. The cross and the story of the Good News of the Reign of God are not concepts around which we talk. They are ways of being in the middle of life. To "Welcome as Christ" is a daily call to life that will lead us out of our self-centeredness and right into the middle of the life of the community because that is where the life is. Benedicts words - if it regularly exercises enough hospitality so as to attract guests, it is a monastery - made a point with me. What are we to do if someone says our congregation or our home is like a monastery?! I guess that is a good thing...for people are always arriving and sharing in the life of the place. On the other hand, in today's world, the notion of becoming a monastery has the look of seclusion and retreat...as in retreating away from people. What a gift it would be if the hospitality of such a strange world - the monastery - would become a living part of our life together.
Connection: How often is you life open to guests...those invited...those who simply come in needed a space or some time to refresh? I think this can happen in the cubicle's of our offices...if Dilbert is ready for this kind of community.
Lord God, teach us to extend ourselves to those who come within our reach this day. There are so many ways to offer a cup of cold water to those in need and yet we often turn away. Open our hearts and our lives and our homes Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment