Hospitality is an interesting word. It is a wonderful word. I love hospitality. It allows us to give and get back at the same time. It cannot be easily faked because it is baked with love. Doing something without love being at the core of it is just a task being completed. Hospitality is love expressed in words and actions; it is central to everything we do. It is the reason I am where I am. Without it anything we do is just a series of actions.

This was my introduction this week to a conference on the topic of hospitality; a core feature of our Catholic faith. It is interesting that we use the word hospitality as if it is something we take out of the cupboard on special occasions, rather than something we should be wearing at all times.

The hospitality of those welcoming me at Saint Eulalia’s three years ago still resonates in my heart. Those who immediately volunteered to help me after an appeal at Mass for Catechists, the support in the parish office and willingness to accept a “newbie” into the parish. We talk about putting out the welcome mat for others in our lives, but shouldn’t it always be out there?

Hospitality is not pretending to be nice, just doing our work, but doing our work and ministry with intention, with creativity, without anger, with care and attention to detail. Hospitality is not perfection, but perhaps an intention to create a perfect outcome.

Sometimes, just sometimes, when we see hospitality delivered daily, weekly, in fact all time we can become immune to it. Not recognizing the face of God which is embodied in those actions. A welcome without agenda, help offered before it is requested, a listening ear, an open heart.

The parish has such a person who embodies the word hospitality in our pastoral associate, Louise Cocuzzo, someone I always felt I could use as a reference point if my own perspective was not set in a Christ like direction.

We all have those people in our lives who can give us this inspiration, not because they ask for it, but because they embody hospitality. Welcoming friends, family and strangers with an open heart and open mind.

As I meet a hundred retreatants for the first time this weekend, at our center here in Southern California, I think of how far I can go to increase the loving face of hospitality in my own life. We can all learn from the example of those who have the light of Christ burning brightly in their faces, a welcoming smile and in their hearts.

Let me be your server today

Each step is an active part of my love.

Moving towards the table needing clearing,

Responding to an empty cup,

Smiling to a face far from home.

XXX

Reponses vary,

According to mood and pressure.

Sometimes I am invisible,

No one sees me,

Only what I deliver,

And if it’s on time.

XXX

However, there is always one,

One who sees me and what I do,

For what it really is,

Loving and giving,

Supporting and consistent.

There when others need me,

No asking for gifts or rewards from them.

Just a smile and greeting,

To show they love me.

XXX

Just as I love them.

THE UNBROKEN WORD

When we hear those infamous words “the call,” those of my generation think about it as something restricted to saints or vocations for the religious life. We view the words as something sacred, yet something unattainable for us mere mortals. It is left to those special ones chosen by Christ to do the “important” work here on earth.

We could not be more mistaken. God has chosen each one of us, and our unique contribution to do his work. In the Confirmation program at Saint Eulalia’s much of the program is based around the word “chosen.” Each of us is made in His image. The image of God. With that as a starting point, it could not be any other way.

“I have chosen you to be with me.”. “You have not chosen me, but I have chosen you.” (paraphrase of John 15:16 and Mark 3:13)

So when we hear “the call” we, first of all, have to break this down to a more practical level. We don’t get just one call in our lives. There may be calls that are louder than others, which seem impossible to refuse (like my move to California recently for example), but there are many more calls which are reminders of how God wants us to live out our lives.

Perhaps I can reflect on the calls which have been vital in my life. The ones which really changed everything.

If there are many calls, then perhaps the most critical point is for me to listen more attentively so I might hear them. So instead of waiting for a lightning strike that is going to knock me to the ground to get our attention, I should instead be listening for small, still voice in the heart where God is with me all the time.

St. John Paul II always talked of small steps, of micro-conversions during each day, each one moving us in an almost indiscernible way to be closer to God. Each one of these steps moves us closer to God, as we help our neighbor, resolve an ancient dispute or love the unloved.

So the call may not be massive life event (although sometimes it can be) but can be smaller calls during each day. And the call to Holiness is a silent but continuous call which is as present as the air we breathe.

Let me look for the small calls, God’s voicemails if you like, to see where I am being called today.

THE CALL

All calls are not equal.

The fire alarm invites us all to leave the building,

Calling us to safety and anxiety.

xxx

While the call for supper invites us to share,

With loved ones in spiritual and bodily nourishment.

Of all calls, the ones imbibed with love should never be screened out.

xxx

Because the source validates the message.

And should be acted upon.

THE UNBROKEN WORD

We hear the phrase “get out of the boat” in scripture. (Mt 14:28-30) Peter sees Jesus walking on water and is invited to join him. Initially successful his trust in God fails, and then he begins to sink after an apparent few steps. Jesus saves him and brings him to safety.

This pattern is often prevalent in our own lives. We ask for proof of God’s love, but when called to trust in God we find ourselves failing and then require further rescue. It is interesting to note that while we spend much time creating a barrage of requests for God to bestow us with gifts from our prayers of intercession, we often do less when it comes to simple acts of trust or worship in our prayer life.

As we exit the Christmas season, perhaps we can consider some other prayer forms which don’t have us coming to God always with our shopping list of personals needs. After all, we all know how we feel about relatives and “friends” who only show up when they need something, versus those who are visiting and contact us solely because they love us, or care for us.

This week, I will try and approach God with an attitude of trust and love. Remaining open to His will with a mindset of trust, not the attitude of “prove it” which we all see too frequently.

If we trust in Him, all will be good. For He is “with us always”.

TREES

Trees, awaiting the dawn again without agenda,

Today may be a cold one,

So less sunlight and moisture for our roots,

Nevertheless, we stand together,

Grateful and trusting.

XXX

That we will be nourished and stand for another season.