Spirituality Resources

THE GIFT OF HOSPITALITY

INTRODUCTION
True hospitality is the acceptance of another person without reservation, without expectations, without any preconditions. We have all experienced hospitality, and we have all received varying degrees of hospitality.
In prayer, let us reflect on our own gift of hospitality, our capacity to accept others as they are and on our own need to be accepted as we are.

REFLECTIVE LISTENING
Suggested music:
"Beatitudes" by Balhoff and Ducote
"Whatsoever You Do" by Willard F. Jabusch

LITANY
LEADER: Let us be grateful for the gift of hospitality others have shared with us.
ALL: We are called to love one another.

LEADER: Let us be mindful of the gift of hospitality that is ours to share, especially with the young people we teach, our parish community, and all to whom we minister.
ALL: We are called to love one another.

LEADER: Let us ask forgiveness of those who refuse to accept us. Let us also pray for those who limit their acceptance of us.
ALL: We are called to forgive one another.

LEADER: Let us ask forgiveness of those whom we have refused to accept or those to whom we have offered only conditional acceptance.
ALL: We are called to forgive one another.

RITUAL
A simple ritual to use with this prayer might be to share a hug, a handshake, or a word of blessing. In a quiet, yet joyful way, express your acceptance of the others with whom you are praying, by using one of these suggested rituals or one of your own choosing.

SCRIPTURE READING: Matthew 22: 34–40

GUIDED REFLECTION
The source of all hospitality is the love we have for ourselves. We cannot give what we do not have; hospitality begins with self-acceptance.

How much do I love myself?
How mindful am I of my need to accept who I am as a person—called, gifted, blessed—before I can share with others my giftedness, my hospitality?

Do the children I teach and the people with whom I journey each day feel welcome and accepted by my presence? When a teacher leads a child to discover and accept his or her own giftedness, the teacher has provided that child with one of life's greatest treasures.

JOURNALING
Mindful that we are called "to love others as we love ourselves," take a few moments to recall and name some of your own gifts and talents, especially those you bring to your ministry of teaching. Say something special about gifts for which you are most grateful. Think of times when you shared one or more of these gifts with another person as your expression of hospitality. Take some time to briefly write the story of this memory. It can be a very affirming experience for you.

Dear Lord, I am grateful for the gift of . . .

Suggested Scripture readings for further reflection:
Luke 6:43–45
Romans 1:8–15

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