Chapter The Practice of Hospitality

Welcoming others as an act of faith

Dear Friend,

I've been thinking a lot lately about hospitality, about how it's more than just a fancy word for welcoming someone into your home. It's about opening your heart, your mind, and your life to others. It’s about seeing, really seeing, the person in front of you, not just their label or their beliefs, but the unique story they carry.

You know, I was reading the other day about how in many faiths, welcoming the stranger is seen as a sacred act. It’s like you’re giving someone a bit of sanctuary, a space to be themselves, without judgment or expectation. It reminded me of that time I was traveling and ended up staying with a family I met on the road. We had nothing in common except for our love of good food and good conversation. But they welcomed me into their home, shared their meals, and even let me sleep in their son’s room. It was a small act of kindness, but it felt like a gift.

And it got me thinking about how we can all practice hospitality, even in the smallest of ways. A smile at a stranger, a friendly hello, offering a cup of coffee, listening to someone’s story – all these small gestures can make a world of difference. They say that love is a verb, and I think hospitality is too. It’s something you do, not just something you feel.

It’s not always easy, though, to open ourselves up to others. Sometimes we’re afraid of what they might think or how they might judge us. But I think that’s part of the challenge and the beauty of it all. It’s about pushing ourselves to step outside of our comfort zones, to see the world through someone else’s eyes, and to recognize the sacred in the ordinary.

You know, I was reading an article the other day about how there are so many different ways to understand the world, so many different spiritual paths, and it made me think about how hospitality is something that transcends religious boundaries. Maybe it’s just a fundamental human need, a way of connecting with each other and acknowledging our shared humanity.

I guess what I’m trying to say is, hospitality isn’t just about church dinners and potlucks, although those are pretty great too! It’s about creating a welcoming space for everyone, not just the people who look and think like us. It’s about recognizing the divine spark in every person we meet, regardless of their beliefs or their background.

It’s about, as one of my favorite poets says, “loving the world as if it were your own child.”

What do you think?

Your friend.