Goodness Weekly 8.29.22
“Listening is a form of spiritual hospitality by which you invite strangers to become friends.”
– Henri Nouwen
Message from Jess:
This summer our family took a big trip to celebrate the 20th wedding anniversary and vow renewal of my husband, Nathan and I. We spent some time across different parts of Europe, but the Italian people stole my heart.
Each day they celebrate a time they call Appertivo. You could liken this to our happy hour, but that would minimize it too much. During Aperitivo restaurants pause their kitchen’s regular menu and instead focus on setting up beautiful plates of prosciutto and fresh melon, nuts, cheeses and breads, and margherita pizzas. When you go to Appertivo you order a glass of wine or an Aperol Spritz, as is customary in most of Italy, and your table is filled with these beautiful foods—for free.
The shock on my kids’ faces when they saw the food coming out but didn’t see me order it was comical. But how much does all of this cost? But why are they bringing more? Wait, really we don’t pay for it? They couldn’t imagine that we would be given such abundance for free. And yet, day after day, abundant and warm hospitality oozed out of every meal and every interaction. Sometimes it was as simple as a pitcher of ice cold lemon water when we got back from a busy day, but the hospitality was always present.
I think about that feeling of being an honored guest as I reflect on Jesus’ Parable of the Wedding Feast—the warmth and welcome of it. We don’t live in an honor and shame culture in the United States, so this concept is quite diluted in our reading. But we do give special treatment and honor to certain people, which Jesus is clear about throughout his teachings.
I recently bought a welcome mat for our front door that says “Yay, you’re here!” and I put it out with a prayer for it to be a message felt by everyone who comes through the door. I think this is a desire of God for all people and one that we each have the opportunity to contribute to every day.
We see this in the eyes of the father who runs to his lost son, we hear it in the joy of the woman who finds her lost coin, and we feel it in the relief of the shepherd who finds his lost sheep. Yay, you’re here!
May we be people whose eyes convey this to everyone we meet and may the knowledge that God sees every one of us this way seep into our hearts until we know our identity as beloved.
Join me in seeking ways to extend radical hospitality to someone this week.
Good Work:
Our Snack Pak program resumes for the school year September 1st.
If you are available to help with Snack Pak deliveries on Thursday evenings please sign up using the link below!
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Upcoming Events
Sunday, September 11th, 4:30pm Prayer Service for Peace & Remembrance
Sunday, September 4th, 4:30pm Supper Church
Tuesday, August 30th, 9:00am Story Time on the lawn
Saturday, September 10th, 9:30am Story Time & Family Morning
Morning:
Today I accept your generous hospitality
and join you on the journey of this day
Help me to be a place of safety
and compassion for those I meet
May my words and actions
light up the eyes of others
May my thoughts reflect
humility and generosity
Guide me through the day
as a vessel of your grace
Amen.
Evening:
Tonight I accept your invitation to rest
my weary mind,
my tired body,
my fatigued heart
May my work tomorrow create continued goodness
and kindness and may that begin
with receiving your goodness and kindness to me tonight.
I name in my heart now, those who need your peace
I name in my heart now, those who need your love
Send your kindness to those lonely
And warmth to those afraid.
Amen.
