In his Rule (a guidebook for living a spiritual life) St. Benedict entreats his monks to receive all guests as Christ. Most of us who are Benedictines are very fond of quoting this profound precept. I think we are less fond of unpacking how radical this is and how it can and should challenge us in a fundamental way.
Perhaps the most important thing for us to remember when we say we “welcome Christ” is that Jesus stretched all boundaries of inclusion. Jesus didn’t just invite people who thought like he did to the table. He welcomed righteous, God-fearing believers as well as people who were collaborators with the hated Roman Empire. His disciples were a motley crew who seemed to spend a fair amount of time arguing among themselves. And he expected them to get along!
When we say we welcome all as Christ we need to ask ourselves whether we are only welcoming people we like and who think like us? Perhaps welcoming guests as Christ means welcoming your Uncle Joe whose politics make your skin crawl. It might be welcoming Cousin Sue who is into crystals and wants to tell you all about it. Welcoming guests as Christ means welcoming people who you really, really don’t like (and it may not be their politics but just be the way they chew with their mouth open or never stop talking about their petunia patch.)
So, before any of us pat ourselves on the back for welcoming guests as Christ, perhaps we need to do an examination of conscience. When was the last time I truly welcomed someone whom I struggled with or profoundly disagreed with? Did I really listen to and respect that person or did I pat myself on the back for being “tolerant?” Did I literally or figuratively roll my eyes, or did I see them as someone who might be taking on the role of Christ to make me look at my own intolerance and hypocrisy.
And in case you’re wondering, yes, this is meant to make you feel rather uncomfortable. But that’s a good thing! We don’t change or grow, we can’t be healed unless we realize we need to change, be healed and forgiven. This is the secret guise that Jesus takes to try and meet us every day. He is guest at our door disguised as someone you don’t want to let in. And be careful, because if you do let him in you will have to risk being challenged to become more Christ-like yourself.
This is the invitation, risk and gift of healing hospitality! May we all be willing to answer the door and accept the divine invitation.