Hospitality

In the epistle of Peter, that apostle says, “Use hospitality one to another without grudging.” Perhaps one of the most perplexing problems presenting itself to the busy practitioner of Christian Science is compliance with this simple direction of Peter; and one student found it an ever increasing difficulty as the needs of her work apparently demanded every second of her time. She frequently asked herself the question, Am I fulfilling the law of Love by being unable, seemingly, to invite others to my house in the simple friendly fashion of earlier days? As she pondered over the matter, with an earnest desire to work it out in accordance with the demands of divine Principle, the light suddenly dawned, and the student realized more clearly than ever before the true meaning of the word “hospitality.” This word is derived from the same root as “hospital,” and, therefore, indicates that its true meaning is associated with the healing of those diseased in mind and body.

Our Way-shower, in accepting and showing hospitality, never for one instant lost sight of his mission of healing. He was ever available to those who, weary and heavy-laden, sought freedom and surcease from their problems. As the honored guest of Simon the Pharisee he was sought for, even there, by the “strange woman,” who found the healing she so earnestly craved. At the wedding feast he demonstrated the power of the Christ “to give to human life an inspiration by which man’s spiritual and eternal existence may be discerned,” as Mrs. Eddy tells us on page 65 of “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.” And many other instances could be quoted, showing that Jesus practiced true hospitality in extending to suffering humanity that which they were seeking. With simple directness the gospel narrative, telling of the multitude which followed him wherever he went, concludes the description with the words, “And he healed them.” Should not the Christian Science practitioner realize, too, that this true form of hospitality is his or her privilege, and not be contented with any lesser ideal? At the present moment the world is crying out, with a cry that will not be stilled, “They have taken away my Lord, and I know not where they have laid him;” and patiently and lovingly Christian Scientists are endeavoring, by following in the footsteps of their Master and emulating his example in healing the sick and the sinning, to prove to the world that the Christ is indeed here, “even unto the end of the world.”

Mrs. Eddy says in “Miscellaneous Writings” (p. 357) of humility, it has “no time for idle words, vain amusements, and all the et cetera of the ways and means of personal sense.” In spite of this, how often a Lazarus lies at our door, beseeching help and receiving none because our gaze is fixed in other directions! Nero’s name has been handed down to posterity with the greatest sense of opprobrium because of his callous, heartless behavior; and yet, in our day, are we not often engaged in following his example in some direction? The carnal mind is frightened by the strong demands of Truth. Like Lot, when the opportunity comes to ascend the mount of inspiration, it pleads for the city of little endeavor. “I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die: behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.” Lot’s life was one of backsliding. He chose the easy path of present advantage; whereas Abraham, a type of the true seeker for Truth, sought always for “a city which hath foundations;” and it was his privilege to be called “the Friend of God.”

But, some one may say, we cannot all take up the work of a Christian Science practitioner. Home ties and other duties demand our time and attention. We have those dependent upon us who need our care. Should it be said of us that we, like Lot, have chosen the path of present advantage? Assuredly no, if the desire to heal the sick is there. Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health (p. 1), “Desire is prayer; and no loss can occur from trusting God with our desires, that they may be moulded and exalted before they take form in words and in deeds.”

The patriarchs of old were engaged in just such simple tasks when the message calling them to higher spheres of usefulness came. David, the simple shepherd lad, in protecting his father’s flocks from the lion and the bear proved the powerlessness of these false beliefs to harm, and was, therefore, unafraid of the giant lie of aggression, oppression, cruelty, pride, and blatant self-importance which made up the threatening figure of Goliath. The wild beasts who would have interfered with the flocks over which he was placed as protector had exhibited just such traits, and he had been able to prove that they were powerless to harm the right thinker. And if we, like Abraham, are willing to sacrifice our own will, though it may seem as our first-born, then we may indeed have the privilege of casting out evil and healing the sick.

All world conditions need to experience the healing touch of the Christ, Truth; and, however simple the task may be upon which we are engaged, if perfectly performed, just there we may hear the voice of the Christ, saying, “Follow thou me.” In the calm of the summer morning, as the disciples were engaged in the humble task of mending their nets, probably chatting about their catch of the night before, there came a call to leave this task and to be made “fishers of men;” and immediately they obeyed. It is interesting to note that the readiness to obey the call of Truth is so often brought out, as regards all that appertained to our Master’s ministry, in such terms as the following,—”instantly,” “straightway,” “immediately,” indicating the alertness which was always ready to give or receive a blessing; and this, too, must be our attitude. To be always willing to work for God, in faithfully fulfilling “the trivial round, the common task,” is to carry out to the full Peter’s behest to “use hospitality one to another without grudging.” Then, when we come together, it will indeed be to eat the Lord’s supper,—to partake of his example,—”for as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. . . . But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”