"All Guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say: I was a stranger and you welcomed me (Mt 25:35). Proper honor must be shown to all, specially to those who share our faith (Gal 6:10) and to pilgrims....Great care and concern are to be shown in receiving poor people and pilgrims, because in them more particularly Christ is received; our very awe of the rich guarantees them special respect." (RB 53.1-15)
Benedictines are known for their hospitality, and this passage is what animates it.
It's also important to consider what the term "guest" means here. St. Benedict is not referring simply to expected, invited guests coming for the weekend or for your Oscar watch parties, but rather those that "present" themselves who, in St. Benedict's time, may likely have been travelers or "pilgrims" passing by monasteries on their journies. The expectation that the monks welcome both friends and strangers alike as Christ poses an interesting challenge to us and our reception of guests.
How do we welcome those strangers who present themselves in our life. Certainly no stranger - at least I hope - is knocking on our doors asking for lodging or for food, but strangers, or maybe even unexpected friends in unexpected ways, will knock on the door of our lives from time to time seeking shelter, seeking comfort, seeking compassion. How will we answer? As if they are a nuisance? As if they are an inconvenience? Will we ignore the knock altogether? Or will we welcome them in to join us and share all that we have as if they were Christ Himself?
~ Matt St. John
Comments