A Posture of Shalom

Here’s what stands out about radical hospitality: we let go of a need to shape people into our own image. We extend radical hospitality when we include people within a community without an expectation that they will fully conform to it.

We may even concede some of our community identity in order to be more hospitable to those who we welcome. Radical hospitality sends a message beyond, “you are welcome to join us.” It says, “We see you and want to join you, wherever you are.” In short, radical hospitality doesn’t just ask “do you want to be with us?” It says “how can we be with you?”

Jesus Christ is the ultimate expression of radical hospitality. Christians believe that God created our universe and that the same God who created the universe showed up in human history in the form of Jesus Christ -- forsaking the God experience to have a human experience. God entered our story instead of simply demanding that we enter God’s story. Perhaps that is what best defines radical hospitality: when we practice it we say “I want to become a part of your story more than I hope you will become a part of mine.”

Reflect:
1) "Contact bias" is when a lack of contact with those different from us causes our biases to remain unchallenged, and even to cause us to see others as less than ourselves.  Do you believe this is true?  Can you think of any examples of "contact bias?"

2) Jesus said "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you."  What is "Jesus' peace?"  What was he actually leaving with his disciples in preparation for his death?

3)  "Shalom" means more than just "peace."  It is a multi-dimensional, all-encompassing wholeness of being.  Have you ever experienced this kind of comprehensive wholeness?  What would such an experience be like for you?

4) Shalom is intended for our relationship with God.  But it is also essential that shalom is realized between persons in community and society.  The Old and New Testaments are clear: God desires people be reconciled with each other and justice be done.  What stands in the way, in our context, to this shalom between persons?

5) Shalom comes with a cost.  We must yield our limited perspective toward any human being and give over to God's way with others.  In what areas of your life can you work to give over your perspective to God's?