Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:1-2
“Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place. It is not to bring men and women over to our side, but to offer freedom not disturbed by dividing lines. It is not to lead our neighbor into a corner where there are no alternatives left, but to open a wide spectrum of options for choice and commitment. It is not an educated intimidation with good books, good stories, and good works, but the liberation of fearful hearts so that words can find roots and bear ample fruit….The paradox of hospitality is that it wants to create emptiness, not a fearful emptiness, but a friendly emptiness where strangers can enter and discover…Hospitality is not a subtle invitation to adopt the lifestyle of the host, but the gift of a chance for the guest to find his own.”
Henri J. M. Nouwen in Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life (New York: Image, 1975) 71-72.
One of the most generous things we can do in relationships is to show fearless hospitality with friendly emptiness. Hang with me. This will make sense.
The fearless part is finding freedom Christ from all our fears. This is freedom from control, idolatry, and pride—the three sins Jesus resisted before His ministry began—so we can interact with people with fearless hospitality in a way that creates friendly emptiness.
In plain terms, they will want what Jesus offered when He walked the earth and what we have to offer. It is what welcomes the stranger to become a friend.
We often think of generosity and compassion merely as good works. That is a huge part but not the whole picture. We do well to also think in terms of showing fearless hospitality in a broken, divided and corrupt world with the aim of creating friendly openness.
It just might be gracious and compassionate generosity at its best. I have so much to learn about all these things. God help me. You too? God help us.