Radical Hospitality

Tuesday, August 8, 2006 -- Week of Proper 13 (Dominic)

"Morning Reflections" is a brief thought about the scripture readings from the Daily Office of Morning and Evening Prayer according to the practice found in the Book of Common Prayer of the Episcopal Church.

Morning Prayer begins on p. 80 of the Book of Common Prayer.
Evening Prayer begins on p. 117

An online resource for praying the Daily Office is found at www.missionstclare.com
Another form of the office from Phyllis Tickle's "Divine Hours" is available on our partner web site www.ExploreFaith.org at this link -- http://explorefaith.org/prayer/fixed/index.html

Today's Readings for the Daily Office (p. 979)
Psalm 781-39 (morning) // 78:40-72 (evening)
Judges 7:1-18
Acts 3:1-11
John 1:19-28

Under the Holiness Code of Leviticus, the lame were excluded from the Temple. "For no one who has a blemish shall draw near, one who is blind or lame, or one who has a mutilated face or a limb too long, or one who has a broken foot or a broken hand, or a hunchback, or a dwarf, or a man with a blemish in his eyes or an itching disease or scabs or crushed testicles." (Leviticus 21:18-20) Conventional religious thought believed these people to be sinners who were punished by God. They were not whole. Therefore, they were not worthy of entering the Temple for worship, and one who associated with them risked contamination.

One of the aspects of Jesus' ministry that caused public scandal was his willingness to associate with such people. He gave special attention in his healing work to those who were lame. He welcomed to his table fellowship those whom the Holiness Code marked as sinners.

Following Jesus' tradition, Peter does not avert his eye from the lame beggar, as might be done either by those who wish to insulate themselves from possible contamination or from the obligation to charity. Peter "looked intently at him, as did John." In the name of Jesus, Peter facilitates the man's healing.

Today at 5:30 we will have our healing service at St. Paul's. I've seen people healed through that service. Just the other day I had a note from someone who has found the healing ministry of our parish to be a source of healing, strength and hope, relieving him of pain, enabling his mobility, and giving him a joy and hope. I've known people to be physically healed. I've known people to be emotionally or spiritually healed. Healing happens. Sometimes healing happens though a disease or disability may not disappear.

One of the great healings that is at the center of the Jesus tradition is the inclusion and welcome of those who were considered broken or sinners. The radical hospitality of Jesus and the early church is one of the major themes of the Gospel witness. It was a cause of both scandal in the wider community and occasional conflict within the church. Peter helped open the door of inclusion to Gentiles, a door that Paul had to struggle to keep open throughout his ministry.

Maybe it is a sign of how successful the work of Jesus and the early church has been that we are no longer scandalized by the presence of someone who is lame. Radical hospitality is a mark of authentic discipleship. In our communion, those who are broken or "not whole" are welcome in our table fellowship, where they may leap and praise God as part of the holy community.

Lowell
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The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR