Chapter 53 of the Rule of Benedict gives direction on how to receive guests at the abbey. The first thing? “All guests who present themselves are to be received as Christ, who said, “I was a stranger, and you welcomed me” (Matt 25,35). When my children were young and knocked on the door of my small home office, I tried to remember that. They weren’t distractions, interrupting my work, they were Christ, they were inviting me to hospitality, although I often fell short of this monastic ideal.
Day three of my “Deepening” project reminded me of this call. I had set my alarm and risen early in order to spend time in quiet prayer before heading to my physical therapy session. I dressed, put the candle on the table, lit it, and settled into the chair.
Breathe in. Breath out. A knock at the door.
The friend taking me to my appointment had arrive a half hour early. Having gone to Mass, she arrived, carrying her breakfast.
” I thought I could eat while you’re getting ready,” she said.
“Sure. I haven’t eaten either,” I said as I walked quickly into the dining room, blew out the candle, and placed it back onto the wrought iron candle holder. Using up batter I had kept from a few days ago, I cooked up a few pancakes and covered them with maple syrup.
Benedict instructs the monks to receive the unexpected guest with generosity. Nothing, not prayer, not fasting, nothing is more important than this person at your door. They are to stop what they are doing, Abbot and all, and make the guest welcome. Rooted in prayer, the hospitality includes food, and anything else needed to make the stranger comfortable. Share their table, their prayer, their place of rest.
At that moment, Christ is encountered in flesh and blood…not quiet prayer.
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Holy One who receives me always with welcoming embrace, even when my mind wanders and I find myself mentally ticking off my “to dos” for the day instead of quietly resting in your Presence, help me welcome all into my home, into my life and heart, no matter how busy I am. No matter my plans. You are gracing my day with something greater. You are present to me in the one at my door.
