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Hospitality
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This is one of the newer pieces. I had Holy Cross Monastery in mind when I painted it, thinking of how that community opens its arms to all the souls who come there for respite, refreshment, or challenge. People show up from many places, in various conditions and are made to feel welcome Hospitality is such an important practice - whether it's on a deeper level, considering how we treat refugees, immigrants, "the other", or even more frequently, how we make anyone around us feel welcome and important. How do we support those whose paths cross ours?
Think of a time when you have truly felt overwhelmed. It often builds slowly, you may feel like you've got this one, you're ok, but stuff just keeps happening and pretty soon, you are buried. Everything comes crashing down on you. You might experience suffocation, panic attacks. Often when we've been through something like that, we at least know that we survive and come out the other side. We might be able to call out, to say the one prayer we can speak - "Help!" We might just be able to go limp and let the wave wash over us, trusting that a silent prayer has been heard.
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Beautiful. Yes, hospitality to all that comes our way. Thank you yet again.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed looking at the series of paintings. I was touched by "Hospitality" the way you explain it. Like Christ, we need to welcome everyone at all times, even when we are weary. This is a very cheerful painting. I want to be like that! Thanks!
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