3.3 Jesus and the mission of Catholic schools
The ministry of hospitality
Hospitality is a universal cultural value, but no more so than in the Middle East. Unsurprisingly then, the importance of hospitality is a theme that runs through the entire Bible. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews (13.1-2) writes, "Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels." In the 'Parable of the Last Judgement', when those being judged ask, "When did we see you a stranger and welcome you ...?", the king replies ‘Amen, I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.’In his book, The Hospitality of Ministry, Father David Ranson, Administrator of Holy Name Parish Wahroonga, reflects on the classic icon of the Blessed Trinity by Andre Rublev (right). He sees in the icon and expresses how relationship and hospitality lie at the heart of ministry. It highlights the place of compassion in our understanding of God and in our relationships to one another. Fr David suggests that Christian ministers themselves are called to become icons of the eternal mystery of hospitality found in the very life and love of God.
Hospitality involves 'being' and 'doing'
Hospitality involves 'being' and 'doing'. 'Being' is about the quality of presence to another person. It's easy, indeed a pleasure, to be present to a polite and reasonable person. It's harder to be present to a person who is in a hurry, anxious, upset, hurting or angry. Listening is crucial to hospitality. We bring our 'being' to our 'doing'. A child who comes to the Office having fallen over in the playground and grazed their knees needs more than a dressing. Indeed we can be very professional and methodical washing and dressing the wound, but without some expression of compassion and love, the care is incomplete. Finding the balance between 'doing' and 'being'
In a busy day, it's not easy to strike the right balance between being and doing as a disciple. The extremes are evident in an incident from the Gospels. The story of Martha and Mary
As they continued their journey he entered a village where a woman whose name was Martha welcomed him. She had a sister named Mary [who] sat beside the Lord at his feet listening to him speak. Martha, burdened with much serving, came to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me by myself to do the serving? Tell her to help me.” There is a 'Martha' and 'Mary' in us all. Part of us that wants to get on with the many tasks on our 'To Do' list and part of us that knows we need to slow down, stop and be with people, listening attentively with interest and compassion.
For reflection
Hospitality as acts of welcome, inclusion and friendship
The 'washing of feet', like the breaking of bread in the Eucharist, has become a symbol of the mission of disciples. In washing the feet of his disciples, Jesus transforms the meaning of every act of hospitality and service to become an act of welcome, inclusion, friendship. Every action of a person working as support staff member in a Catholic school can become an act of hospitality, welcome and friendship in service of staff, parents and students ... indeed an experience of the hospitality of God. |
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