I really thought I would be doing my blogging in regards to this class decently and in order, like any good Presbyterian Seminarian student. But alas, my true self isn't always in agreement with how my mind wishes I was.
So here we go.
I thought I would be documenting this journey chronologically in regards to the places, faces, and likes we are immersed in, but at least for this moment, I find myself needing to reflect on something I continually feel.
HOSPITALITY.
Specifically,
RADICAL HOSPITALITY.
Let's break it down.
rad·i·cal
[rad-i-kuh l] Show IPA
adjective
1.
of or going to the root or origin; fundamental: a radical difference.
2.
thoroughgoing or extreme, especially as regards change from accepted or traditional forms: a radical change in the policy of a company.
3.
favoring drastic political, economic, or social reforms: radical ideas; radical and anarchistic ideologues.
4.
forming a basis or foundation.
5.
existing inherently in a thing or person: radical defects of character.
hos·pi·tal·i·ty
[hos-pi-tal-i-tee] Show IPA
noun, plural hos·pi·tal·i·ties.
1.
the friendly reception and treatment of guests or strangers.
2.
the quality or disposition of receiving and treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, generous way.
You might remember the term, "Radical Hospitality" from a movement of sorts a few years back. Ok, maybe it is not a movement, but personally, there was a time a few years back and I kind of felt like many churches were talking about this term. My church back home did a study of a book, Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations, and "radical hospitality" is #1 in the book. (Great book by the way, and they have components to use with youth! Bonus!)
Anyways, the author of the book, Robert Schnase, defines "radical hospitality" like this:
Congregations that practice Radical Hospitality demonstrate an active desire to invite, welcome, receive, and care for those who are strangers so that they find a spiritual home and discover for themselves the unending richness of life in Christ. Radical describes that which is drastically different from ordinary practices, outside the normal, that which exceeds expectations and goes the second mile.
Key words in that definition that stand out to me include:
INVITE,
WELCOME,
RECEIVE,
and
CARE.
My class has been invited to a variety of places.
We have been welcomed.
We have been received.
We have been cared for.
Today we attended a prayer service at a mosque in a pretty diverse part of Atlanta, technically it was Clarkston, GA. The community surrounding this mosque is represented by numerous nationalities due to immigrants and refugees settling here. As one of the Imam's shared with us, we were in the "United Nations" of Atlanta. Even now, hours after reflecting on the experience, I am still smiling and thinking fondly on how generously welcomed we were into their space. Upon entering the women's space, my peers and I were immediately welcomed with smiles and handshakes that were so authentic. These women were so glad we, female students of Christianity, were attending prayers with them. Our first greeter said, "My God, your God - we praise God. We are blessed."
The space we were in filled up with so many beautiful faces of women and children, all different from the other. As one woman from Kenya put it, "We speak so many different languages but share 'salam' (peace) with each other and our Arabic prayers". Another woman, originally from Haiti, sat near us and walked through the prayers, the language, the customs of the service with us and was open to any questions we had. It wasn't that I didn't expect hospitality from these brothers and sisters, but it was radical. It was "going the second mile" and "exceeded expectation".
Despite the differences in our faiths, I feel as if I discovered for myself the unending richness of life in Christ through the women I met this afternoon.
Today I experienced "Radical Hospitality":
the willingness to invite questions to dispel myths and provide the truth,
the willingness to invite 'others' to sit at the table in order to grow,
the willingness to welcome learning beyond what is expected of us,
the willingness to welcome diversity in a worship space: diversity in color of skin, religious beliefs, age, or job
the willingness to receive in love
the willingness to care for the stranger among you
and
the willingness to care about the community beyond your doors.
 |
| "Salam" |
Until next time, look for radical hospitality. Maybe it will surprise you or take you off guard. Maybe it won't come so nicely packaged up. Maybe it will exceed your expectations. Maybe you won't realize it until later in the day.
But look for it.
Or better yet, be it.
Show radical hospitality.
