2

Hospitality-Creating a Safe Place in a Hostile World

On Mar.10.10 , In Unfiled by

Practicing hospitality is to welcome the stranger..to respect all persons…..to joyfully and lovingly provide a place where people feel safe.

We live in such a hostile world.

Today all 60 public schools in Minneapolis were locked down because of a web posting that threatened a shooting at one of the schools.  This just doesn’t feel very safe.  It made me think of when I was in school.  We didn’t have lock downs.  What I remember is the nuclear attack drills where we had to crawl under our desks, face to the floor with our hands pressing agains the back of our necks.  I am not sure how that was supposed to save us in the event of nuclear attack but I do remember that it did not make me feel safe.  I think the incident today is so daunting because school shootings have happened and we all know it can be real. This is not a drill.  This could be the real thing.  I never had to worry about being shot at school.

The movie, “Up In The Air” also has a way of making us feel not too safe.  The movie shows one scene after another where people are told that their jobs are being eliminated.  They were fired, and, without notice.  This wouldn’t be so bad but it is happening all around us.  This stuff is real.  It is not a drill.

This list could go on and on.  Life just doesn’t feel safe.

This, to me, is why hospitality is so important.  Hospitality is a welcoming and a caring in a place of oasis. An oasis is a sanctuary; a haven.  An oasis is a place where weapons are banned.  All animosity is to cease when sojourners enter an oasis. An oasis is to be safe.  An oasis is where I know that I will be cared for.

What weapons can be banned at an oasis?  Guns, bombs and land mines for sure.  But what about sarcasm, insult, prejudice, rascism, ageism, sexism and the like?  What makes an oasis safe? An oasis becomes safe when the sojourner is listened to and embraced and accepted.  When we lean into the needs of others we make it safe for them and we allow them to make it safe for themselves and others.

Lord, make me a safe place.

Related posts:

  1. “Up In The Air…….”, some thoughts
  2. Practicing Radical Hospitality
  3. Another “Cheesy” Movie
  4. With a Listening Ear….
  5. Listen to God

Steve

Visit Authors Website  |  All Articles From This Author

Related Posts

Popular Posts

  • http://www.forheavens-sake.com Marilyn Sharpe

    Dear Steve,

    I just read a NY Times online article about a 15 year old girl in western MA, recently moved here from Ireland, who was literally harassed and bullied to death. She chose to take her own life, the ultimate retreat from the horror her life had become. Her fatal flaw? She was beautiful and, as a new, unknown freshman, had dated a popular senior boy.

    Teachers and administrators knew of this harassment … and did nothing.

    Oasis? Sanctuary? How little it would have taken to create a safe place for Phoebe to be, to breathe, to grow to be all she had been created to be.

    I know that being inhospitable does not often result in suicide, but do we acknowledge the countless “little deaths” people experience when their world lacks the welcome, the sense of belonging that Christian hospitality offers?

    Blessings,
    Marilyn

  • http://www.pivotpointministries.org Steve

    It occurs to me that the opposite of hospitable is to be hostile. Such a fine line. What is it? Jealousy? Bigotry? Power? We pray that as we lead hospitable lives that the Holy Spirit would allow others to desire the same thing. In the Church we sometimes see the same type of brutality. It may not be physical beating but there is sure a great deal of emotional beating. May the God of love fill us with all peace that we may greet each person as Christ and welcome them to a safe place.

Connect with Us

Learn More About Us By Following

Navigation

Recent Items

  • Merry Christmas

    The Incarnation was, and is, a powerful Pivot Point.  All of history comes together in the kairos of the Incarnation.  When Jesus encounters us along the way we are never the same again. May the encounter of the Incarnation bring you blessed transition from death to life and blessed future. Steve

  • Spiritual Direction

    Spiritual direction is a process where the spiritual director accompanies an individual or a group on spiritual journey and helps them listen for the voice of God through prayer and contemplation.  The spiritual director will ask clarifying questions or will engage the directee in processes that will foster spiritual listening.  (Further descriptions of spiritual direction [...]

  • Spirituality and Memory Loss

     Spirituality and Memory Loss is the theme of a three part series that will be held on February 6, 13, and 20 at Chandler Place, 3701 Chandler Drive, St. Anthony Village, MN.  This event is designed to support those in early to middle stage dementia:  families, caregivers, spiritual directors, clergy and all who are interested [...]

  • Advent as Change

    In a story from the book Necessary Change (Cloud, H., 2011) a woman declares that her life might be a living hell but at least she knows the street names.  Rather than move out of her hellish existence she would rather stay where it is comfortable and the pain is familiar. Most humans will default [...]

  • Spirituality and Memory Care

    Christos Center for Spiritual Formation, in partnership with the Minnesota Alzheimer’s Association, Chandler Place/St. Anthony Health Center, and Pivot Point Ministries will offer a three part series on Spirituality and Memory Care on February 6, 13 and 20, 2012 atChandler PlaceAssisted Living,3701 Chandler Blvd,St.AnthonyVillage, MN. The three part series will include presentations with panel responders that include individuals and [...]