“Consider yourself at home.  Consider yourself one of the family.”  These lyrics from the musical “Oliver” speak to me of our Benedictine practice of hospitality.  In welcoming all who come into our monastery and into our lives, we greet them and treat them as Christ among us, inviting them into our home and into our hearts.

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“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” (Heb 13:2)  Our door is open to all, be they friend or stranger.  The doorbell may bring us someone with questions about our home and lifestyle;  a person seeking help or shelter; someone joining us for prayer, or a friend or family member dropping by for a visit.  As we extend our hospitality to them, we make no distinctions based on age, race, creed, or social status.  Each of our guests is equally welcome in our monastery.

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“Seek God” is inscribed above our lobby door.  Serving as an invitation, it reminds us that those who walk through our doors are, in some way, seeking God. They may call it looking for peace, for answers, for guidance, for a place to pray, but ultimately their search leads to God.  We are privileged to be part of their journey and quest.  Our encounters with our guests enrich our lives, broaden our perspectives, give us new insights and challenge us to recognize Christ IN them and be the presence of Christ TO them.

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We are also called to extend hospitality to each of our sisters in the monastery, to welcome them in their giftedness as well as in their limitations, to make them feel comfortable, acknowledged, and appreciated.  In doing that each day, we grow in our ability to provide welcome for all whose paths cross our own.