Exploring the meaning of hospitality

The word “hospitality” usually calls up images of formal soirees with extensive guest lists or lovely homes with perfect Peggy Post tables, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. It’s more than having folks over for dinner or inviting ladies to tea – although I love to do this. It’s more than making sure our homes are in decent enough order to welcome drop-ins – although this is a good idea. It is more simple, more radical, more uncomfortable, more beautiful.

Our New Testament Greek word for hospitality is a combination of two:

Phileo: brotherly love, and

Xenos: stranger.

So hospitality actually means to love strangers like family.

The ancient Hebrews were commanded thusly:

“You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you and you shall love him as yourself for you were strangers in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.” (Leviticus 19:34)

Even our English translation of hospitality (from whence our word hospital hails) is, “friendly, generous reception of guests, visitors, or strangers.”

Strangers?

Look at these verses again, remembering strangers:

“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (Hebrews 13:2)

“Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.” (I Peter 4:9)

“And having a reputation for good works...has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.” (I Timothy 5:10)

He said also to the man who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, lest they also invite you in return and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just.” (Luke 14:12-14)

“She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.” (Proverbs 31:20)

Strangers could be that new family or disheveled man at church. Invite them to join you for coffee and doughnuts in the fellowship hall after Mass; maybe make a friend. Strangers could be that rude cashier or snobby neighbor. Turn and smile at them; it might make their bad day a little brighter. Strangers could be the ones mentioned for parish prayers that you don’t really know. Jot down a name and drop off a sweet muffin or send a friendly note to the hospital room; it means so much (believe me, it does). Strangers could be that young woman asking for money in the parking lot or disoriented senior frantically looking for his wallet in the coffee shop. Give them something if you have any; you may be the only kindness they’ve seen in a long time, whatever they do with the dollars.

This weekend’s epistle reading was from Ephesians 4:31-32:

“All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.”

And of course I’ve been reading through Pope Francis’ new encyclical and highlighted this gem:

"We fail to see that some are mired in desperate and degrading poverty with no way out, while others have not the faintest idea of what to do with their possessions.”

Let’s share those possessions and be hospitable to friends and strangers. After all, we are the recipients of perfect hospitality from God Himself, who loved us and called us to Himself. Jesus happily ate with people, warmly received everyone from children to the ill to evildoers, and labored over breakfast for the disciples. He said He was going to prepare a place for us in His Father’s house. Even now, He feeds us with His body in the Eucharist and with His words in the Scriptures. Such hospitality!

We should be sharing generously with our friends and opening the warmth of our homes, or at least our friendly faces, to strangers as well. Children especially love the idea of unknowingly entertaining angels. Remember Martha? We think of her negatively because Jesus fussed at her for fussing over household matters; although I do not picture Him chastising her rudely, but like my husband smiling at me saying, “Hey Hon, leave the kitchen for a bit; come sit with us!” In Luke 10:38, we read that “Jesus entered a village and a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.” She welcomed. It starts with welcoming people.

Even strangers.

Hospitality is radical. Hospitality is uncomfortable. Hospitality is beautiful. Hospitality can change the world, one welcoming at a time. Martha, friend of Jesus, pray for us.

Allison Howell and her family are longtime residents of the Valley. They are Catholic converts and keep a hobby farm full of animals and children.

Opinions expressed on the Faith page are the author’s and are not necessarily those of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, its staff or its parent company, Wick Communications Co. To submit a column or other news for the Faith page, send email to news@frontiersman.com, or call 352-2250.