A Deeper understanding of hospitality

Hello Dear Soul,

Here is a tidbit of learning for the day - a nugget of wisdom to expand your mind and open your heart some more. Spirit spoke to me this morning in rhyme, which is not unusual for how I hear.  Alliteration is another common delivery method too, probably because it makes things "stick" and stand out from everyday conversation styles.  Here is what I heard:

"Forever in one heart we live
Together with one purpose, to give
What we have, what we know, what we feel
Is not for us to beg, borrow, nor steal
But communal hospitality for all to heal."

Through many years of receiving this way, I have come to know that there are several ways to interpret the words spoken and that any words that don't initially make sense to me are there for me to inspect. In looking up the definition and etymology of a word (its like a treasure hunt for me!) there is an anthropology that when looked at from many angles can shed light on a richer history of understanding.  So, the word in today's message that I looked up was "hospitality".

The word hospitality, at its roots comes from the Latin 'hospes' or 'hospit' with several related meanings (I interpret and abridge here)
1. An institution providing medical and nursing care for sick or injured people.
2. (historical definition) A hospice especially run by Knights Hospitaller. (I had to look this up too - see below)
3. (British definition) A charitable institution for the education of the young (ie. "Christian Hospital".)

The word hospitality is also related to the root word 'host' meaning 'to receive other people as guests (as a or into a) place (or state) of provision (ie. lodging, nourishment, entertainment, community experience.)'  It is a way we treat others with an open hearted welcome and sharing of what we have. This idea of hospitality or care for others is found in many cultures and traditions and most readily in my mind comes the passage from the wisdom tradition of Christ (found in Matthew 25: 35-36 NIV), 35 "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  36 "I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." 

Now, following the thread, I next looked up 'Knights Hospitaller' from definition #2 noted above.  The Knights Hospitaller were originally a Benedictine group (Catholic monk order) that provided help and shelter for the sick and weary pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem. They served men and women of all faiths. More like a (youth) hostel than how we in the west understand hospital or hospice.

This communal understanding of how we can care for others is something I am experiencing first hand since returning from Greece (Spring of 2022). Staying with host families in the communities I am sharing with, I am receiving hospitality and care through others; different people, one heart.

My hope is that we (the communal we) can receive this message from Spirit in a way that helps us understand how our day to day is connected to others. Seeing our purpose in a new light, as souls having a physical experience, where hospitality of the heart is the way we walk in the world.

Blessings and peace be with you,
Dammah

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