Walls Or Hospitality?
In a world where walls are being erected I spoke about 'The Open Gate' as a metaphor for treating others as friends rather than enemies. I quoted these words of Henri Nowen: 'Hospitality means primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place. It is not to bring men and women over to our side, but to offer freedom not disturbed by dividing lines. True Hospitality is welcoming the stranger on her own terms. This kind of hospitality can only be offered by those who've found the center of their lives in their own hearts.'
That talking night was followed by a singing night. Both were preceded by delicious meals. Anna and Andy Raine combined with Kevin and Lesley Downham to sing or play Northumbrian and other folk music.
The theme of hospitality bounced back the next day when Edinburgh's Abbey Summer School organisers pressed me for a snappy title for the TED talk I am invited to give on that occasion. 'Walls or God-connections?' was the title I came up with. As I drove to meet friends in Dunbar this morning I listened to a radio programme about walls in USA, Palestine and elsewhere. The presenters reminded listeners of The Wall of Ice in the Game of Thrones. An Irish Borders man told how the border there had become so porous that his friend crossed it eight times a day in order to be at his boxing club. And I thought of Jesus' resurrection that brought the great 'Wall' in the Temple's most guarded centre crumbling to nothing, so that it could become a House of Prayer for all peoples. Over our late breakfast in a coffee shop we shared deep experiences of God which brought a deep connection with others who had entered a similar space. These deep rivers flow where no walls can reach.
