Hospitality is near and dear to the heart of a Benedictine for the Rule says, “All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, who said: “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me (Mt. 25:35)” (RB 53).  On a daily basis, the monastery usually has a couple of guests, and on special occasions of celebration the monastery could have many guests.  Each time we welcome a guest; we welcome Christ into our midst.  I need to remind myself of this more often.

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Sometimes I take guests in the monastery for granted.  I start grumbling and complaining about the doorbell ringing during prayer or meals or when I need to stop my work to give assistance to a guest.  When my thinking becomes negative, I think back to 2020 when COVID closed the monastery doors to guests.  It was necessary to protect our older and vulnerable sisters.  The longer it went without guests, the more I felt the loss.  I missed the guests we welcome into our chapel for prayer and Mass.  I missed the guest who would join us for meals.  The many family members and friends who would come to help us celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.  I missed the random guest coming to the front door for a variety of reasons.  Most importantly, I missed sharing our lives as Benedictines with others.  I missed the ability to welcome Christ in the guest we know or the stranger who randomly comes to our door.

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For Hebrews 13:1-2 states, “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect hospitality, for through it some have unknowingly entertained angels.”  Have you entertained any angels recently?