Radical Hospitality

I went to divinity school. Have I told you that?

It’s where I first learned the phrase “Radical Hospitality” and I’m pretty sure it references the Christian church’s mission to welcome and affirm all people where they are and exactly as they are. It’s also probably connected to some theologian’s views about communion… that since the early church didn’t just give people tiny Styrofoam wafers or small hunks of bread and thimbles of wine, but rather, the wealthier members of the church provided a real, full meal for the entire church community. Everyone was welcome, whether or not they had anything to contribute, whether or not they were “model” members.

When I mentioned that I was going to try to live even more into my belief and value of radical hospitality this year, my dad had some questions…

“What does it mean to be radical?”

“Isn’t radical kind of a negative word?”

“What about people who you have fundamental or deep-seeded disagreements?”

“What will this actually look like?”

And I was super glad he asked me all of that, because, to be honest, I wasn’t totally clear about it when I made the declaration that this was a commitment I was making.

First of all, here’s the actual definition of Radical:

• very new and different from what is traditional or ordinary

• very basic and important; the root

• having extreme political or social views that are not shared by most people

Now, on the day we remember Jesus’s crucifixion because he was radical and the weekend we celebrate His resurrection, here’s what I think: Radical maybe is a negative word to some, but to me, it’s the word that describes Jesus. He constantly pushed against teachings, actions, and practices of people of faith…disturbing their comfortable positions and challenging what they held to be true. He was radical in ALL three of the above senses.

On this day we remember a man who was radical. He was full of love. He empowered the oppressed, challenged the status quo, made his faith political, and reminded Christians that love should be at the root things earned a death he didn’t deserve.

When I say I want to practice radical hospitality, I am speaking about hospitality that is extreme and fundamental. I want everyone, everyone, truly everyone to have an invitation to my table and for the words ‘welcome’ and ‘share’ to be natural extensions of my character at all times.

This will mean that I seek out new voices, and people with different experiences, and it will mean that I try to offer hospitality in the ways that others prefer to receive it rather than the way I THINK it SHOULD be offered.

It will mean that I welcome people with whom I disagree, and that I try to bring people who disagree with one another together to share. I’m guessing that it will be hard, and uncomfortable at times, and I think I’m ready for that… but it also means that it will be full of joy, and adventure, and new experiences and stories. It will give me proximity to people who are marginalized or who I might not otherwise know. It will teach me empathy, and humility.

Anyway, I needed to saw that out loud, and here on MoG so that you can help me be accountable. I mean it. Today I’ll be remembering Jesus’ death and also praying for and looking toward the hope, joy, and beauty of His resurrection on Sunday.