Yes, it is central to our understanding of The Way of Jesus, not as in "the hospitality industry" but as a theological concept of welcoming the stranger. Although, you sure wouldn't know it by the way some Christians want to treat those who immigrate to this country the way their ancestors did.
According to the Birth Narratives of Jesus, 'hospitality' was not afforded to Mary and Joseph as they searched for a place where they could lodge in Bethlehem. Every child who has ever acted in a "Christmas Pageant" knows the line of the Narrator, "Because there was no room for them at the Inn."
Today begins the Hispanic tradition of "Las Posadas" - The Inns" - a nine-day celebration from December 16-24, which reenacts the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and their search for an inn. The holiday is celebrated in Mexico, parts of the United States - especially in areas where there are heavy concentrations of Hispanic people like Michigan - and other Latin American countries.
The nine-day celebration is important, as I understand it, because it is symbolic of the nine-month pregnancy of Mary.
It is painfully ironic - and I can't believe the irony is lost on many Hispanic people - that even while they are reenacting the inhospitable nature of those who denied shelter to Mary and Joseph, they are being threatened with "mass deportation".
And, the people for whom those violent, inhospitable words are hot on their lips, have already put up nativity scenes in their own homes and yards, including the figures of two brown-skinned Palestinian Jewish refugees, one of whom has just delivered a child she conceived out of wedlock, as well as three brown-skinned men from Persia, Arabia, and India.
Once Project 2025 is activated on January 20th by some of these same Christians, "DEI" - Diversity Equality and Inclusion - will be struck from all policies in all government agencies.
The irony is so painful it takes my breath away when it doesn't give me a pounding headache. I feel like John the Baptist screaming, "You brood of vipers!"
Never mind. There's nothing to be done but push back and protest when we can and remind "the powers that be" that, in fact, they did not win the popular vote with an "unprecedented and powerful mandate" but rather by 1.62 percent, the smallest in 24 years, when Bush won with 0.51 percent.
In the meantime, it is imperative for those of us who walk The Way of Mary to practice hospitality in every way we are able, small and large. It starts with recognizing the other and making a personal connection with them. Don't pass a stranger without looking them in the eye and saying "Hello," or "Good morning".
In the meantime, offer to volunteer a few hours a week in places that offer hospitality to the stranger and those in need: community shelters and soup kitchens, and community thrift shops - or donate food, clothing, bedding, personal hygiene supplies and/or money.
In the meantime, pay attention. Look around you. Smile. Be kind. Pick up trash that has been thoughtlessly thrown on the ground. Put away some of the shopping carts that are blocking parking spaces. Stop and help someone who needs a little help crossing the sidewalk or reaching that top shelf in the market.
And, yes, if someone is hustling money at the traffic light, give him or her a dollar bill. Yes, they might use it to score drugs or buy some cheap booze, but maybe they'll use it to buy a hot cup of coffee and something at Mickey Ds. Have you not ever wasted money on something frivolous or stupid? Allow them to exercise their autonomy and yes, have the freedom to make a few bad choices.
I mean, isn't that what God did with Adam and Eve in The Garden? God forgave us for that transgression over 2,000 years ago. Maybe if we could forgive ourselves, we might be able to forgive each other?
Forgiveness as an extension of hospitality. Just a thought.
Practice hospitality in however many ways - big or small - as a way of celebrating "Las Posadas". Hospitality is not only The Way of Jesus, it's part of The Way of Mary.
I hope something good happens to you today.
Bom dia.
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