Holy Hospitality

This Sunday in the Gospel, Jesus has a meal in the home of a religious leader and offers a teaching about how to be in the presence of the living God. Jesus gives more than advice about good manners at a dinner party: he invites all who listen to him to consider the beauty and the mystery of being invited into relationship with the God who is manifested in human life.

Perhaps the most famous of Russian icons, Rublev’s The Trinity (or The Hospitality of Abraham), captures in rich and suggestive detail the unexpected “angels” that we are called to “entertain” in life. The icon invites us into the circle of the divine presence at table—and into the lived experience of holy hospitality.

I am thankful for the holy hospitality practiced last weekend by many of you in welcoming the youth and adults who came to their cathedral for this year’s Acolyte Festival. You really did entertain God’s children, and God blessed you in your doing.

After this long Labor Day weekend, we will begin the regular program year on Sunday, September 7 with our annual Rally Day experience. Your cathedral cooking crew will prepare a special brunch for the day. There will be opportunities shared for engaging throughout the year in groups to deepen your own spiritual life through prayer, scripture, and worship, and there will be opportunities to be involved more deeply in community life through service and fellowship.

I hope to see you on Sunday, and if you are away, be safe and know you will be welcomed home when you return.

Faithfully,

Beverly+