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On giving hospitality from out of our poverty
One of the readings of the day (1 Kings 17:7-16) is the story of how the great prophet Elijah was cared for by a woman who was a widow and a mom. Though the story is told from the perspective of Elijah, in so many ways it is the story of a woman’s faithfulness to and trust in God.
The story goes that God sent Elijah (who was hiding out in the wilderness) to the city of Zarephath where God said a widow would provide for Elijah who was hungry and thirsty. The woman, who is never named, is happy to give Elijah some water but says she has barely enough food left for herself and her son, let alone Elijah. In fact, she says, “Just now I was collecting a couple of sticks, to go in and prepare something for myself and my son; when we have eaten it, we shall die.” Elijah tells the woman not to fear and that God will not allow her flour nor her oil to run out.
Here’s where I would have loved to have known what the woman was thinking. Some guy appears out of nowhere and asks for her hospitality. She does what she can, but then he asks her for what she cannot give. Were she to give him the food he asked for, she and her son would go hungry and be that much closer to the death she was already anticipating. The stranger tells her not to worry, that God will provide. What must have been going on within this woman? What grace was working within her to give her the strength to believe in God’s word as proclaimed through the mouth of a stranger?
This story blows me away because the woman finds it within herself to believe in something, someone larger than herself and her immediate concerns. Maybe she figures the end is near anyway so why not give it a shot? Maybe she has prayed and prayed for God’s help and understand Elijah’s appearance to be a sign from God. Maybe she so values the gift of hospitality that she is willing to extend it to a stranger in need, even though she herself is in need. I really don’t know, but I can tell you that I am deeply moved by this woman’s courage and faith. It’s something that I will continue to pray with throughout the day.
What do you see in this story? In what ways are you called to give hospitality from out of your poverty?
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Reading this on Twitter blew me away because today I’m in a similar situation.
I can’t help but think of my parents when I read this story. They were always giving something away, uh, I mean sharing. We weren’t dirt poor, but we weren’t rich by any means, except in love and faith. Money was tight, so my sisters and I worked hard and acheived scholarships so we could attend college.
I had a most amazing thing happen to me as a postulant. The sisters sent us all to the local Catholic college, expecting us to pay for half of our tuition. I had already graduated from a state university before entering, but the sisters wanted me to have some theology courses. I balked at the fees. One class cost more than one whole year at my college back home! Well, I was at daily Mass in the college chapel, fretting over money. At Offertory, I put all of the money I had on me into the collection basket (47 cents). I prayed for a miracle for my dilemma.
A day or so later, one of my classmates had a family friend come to visit us. He was a traveling salesman and a member of the Knights of Columbus. He asked our group, “Does anyone need a scholarship?” GAAH! I gave from my need and received in abundance, gosh, just like the Bible promised.
The importance of hospitality, with monotheism, may be the hallmarks of the Abrahamic religions. It was the most prominent trait of Abraham (and Sarah). Among the commandments of the Hebrew Bible, it is often given paramount importance.
Persons who travel abroad, particularly to less developed regions, often find the hospitality and generosity of the local population amazing, and clearly disproportionate to that shown to visitors to more developed locations.
Some of that may be attributable to the “anonymity and invisibility” of individuals in larger societies, but, even adjusting for that factor, I think we find that often persons with meager means appreciate the importance of small benefits and simple blessings.
Having had hunger abated by a morsel of bread, they are willing to share a piece of their small bread with someone who has even less because they can empathize with the other’s plight, and appreciate that a piece that would seem insignificant to someone with plenty, will be greatly valued by someone with nothing.
Simple hospitality, freely offered with love, is a great blessing and actualization of “doing small things with love.”
Of course, in the biblical story, the widow is rewarded for her hospitality by God and Elijah, but clearly there was no promise or expectation of such good fortune when she sacrificed. Nor are the rewards of one’s sacrifice always so patent.
I see that “The Other Sister Julie” has already responded and mentions her parents. I hope that she does not mind that I mention that her recently departed mother- truly of sainted memory- seems to have been a great exemplar of this virtue. Although I do not know Sister Julie other than through this blog, and of her mother, only through an obituary, I think the following from that obituary speaks volumes:
In addition to her role as mother, Anna was a passionate volunteer and
member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Upland. Her service included
involvement and leadership in St. Bernadette’s Guild, the Altar and
Rosary Society, the Italian Catholic Federation, Eucharistic Ministry,
Ministry to the Sick, Fall Festival, Arts and Crafts Class, and
wherever needed, including caring for her MSC priests whom she thought
of as her sons [she had five daughters!]. Her dedicated service earned her the Benemerenti Award from Pope John Paul II for lifetime service to her parish
community. As her mobility declined, she opened her home to the
lovely women who would join her in crocheting blankets, hats, and
slippers for patients at rest homes and, most recently, for patients
at Lanterman Developmental Center, who honored her as Donor of the
Year in 2006.
Hoping that all are blessed, and that we are instruments of God’s blessings …
Being hospitable is something I struggle with. This story reminds me that I need to keep trying — I certainly have a long way to go.
I am a Senior Nursing student this year and everyone keeps asking where I will work. I found that my truest love was working in the community with the poor, the addicts, etc…The pay scale for a community nurse is about 10,000 less than that of a hospital staff nurse? I have a love and a passion to give but I also have two kids and a husband to think of…I guess I have a year to pray about it.
Like you, Sister Julie, I’m awed by this woman’s easy response to this (seemingly) outrageous request. I’ve been thinking about what you said, about being moved by this woman’s courage and faith. I’ve noticed that people who give as easily as they breathe see only “thou” in the action. Perhaps that’s what this woman sees, too?
I was thinking also how her response is surpassed only by the teenage Mary, who responds to the angel Gabriel’s (surprise) visit by saying,
“Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” (Luke 1:38) Say what? (Is there even a word for their faith, for what they inspire?)
As for my experience: I’ve come to learn that giving out of poverty (of time, money, presence) becomes easier with practice. When I had plenty – money, status, possessions – I often gave begrudgingly, ostentatiously or out of obligation. But over the past few years I’ve let go of a lot of “plenty” and found my
“enoughness.” I felt empty for a while, like a field laying fallow. But when I was replanted, giving grew like kudzu. I like that.