Thursday, October 16, 2008

Thursday 16 October 2008

The last section of Hauerwas' comments on resurrection will be split over today and tomorrow.

The kingdom of peace initiated by Jesus is also the kingdom of love which is most clearly embodied in the Christian obligation to be hospitable.

I stopped here because I found this link between peace and hospitality to be down to earth. Jesus goes into the homes of those who invited him - no matter who it was. Being open to the hospitality of others means that we will, at times, step over the boundaries we may have in place already. We do not refuse because of judgments made against our potential hosts - whether they are true or false. We go. We go and we enter into the intimacy of table fellowship. We have been invited. Our hosts have taken the risk to invite us and have taken the risk that we may not take them up on their invitation. Once we enter their home or their space, we have started the adventure that brings about peace between parties that may have once been separated. The same goes for our hospitality. We invite without limit. We invite so that we can be reminded of the wideness of God's Reign. We invite so that we can experience the very essential pieces of shalom. We invite to give those who are never invited the understanding that among us, they are welcome even if it is at a cost to us. Peace comes with a cost. Peace is an adventure in risk taking. Peace brings together sides that have been pushed apart by things done and things undone.

Connection: We don't have to throw a party to be a part of this hospitality of the Reign of God. It takes place many times and in many places within this day...and we are invited to initiate that presence in this day.

By your love for us, O God, we become people whose love begins to reflect the ways of your love that break down barriers that often keep us from being hospitable to all around us. Continue to draw us into your peace. Amen.

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