Radical Hospitality: A Reflection on a Core Value of City on a Hill
BY ADAM PANE
Hospitality is not “radical” as the world sees it, but as our Lord designed it. Modern society uses the word “radical” when describing someone with extreme views. But “radical” stems from the Latin word radix, meaning “root,” and the adjective radicalis, meaning “of or having roots.”
The roots of hospitality are service, generosity, compassion—but most importantly, God’s love.
Before Christ’s passion, our Lord’s last cherished moments took place at table. He washed his disciples’ feet, announced that his betrayer would be dining with him, and yet he shared with them that he eagerly desired to eat the Passover meal with them before he suffered (Luke 22:15-16).
There are many profound insights that can be shared about the Last Supper, but let’s meditate on Christ’s choice to love others—willing the good for them—despite what was to come at Calvary.
Jesus was both fully God and fully man. From a human lens, Christ was eating dinner with friends and announced he would suffer death by crucifixion. Sad, right? But from a heavenly lens, Christ was willing to dine with his friends and his betrayer because he loved them, had faith in what was to come, and desired to be in eternity with them.
“If you want to grow in the knowledge of God’s love, exercise your faith and allow your heart to be formed.” – Pope Francis
Our faith is not our own, but a gift from God that should be applied in everyday life.
The heart of the liturgy is the Church gathering at table. The Eucharist is the ultimate act of hospitality, as Christ, the Bread of Life, invites us to partake in his very self. It is in this sacramental act that we are transformed, and so too must our lives be transformed as we welcome others with the same love that Christ extends to us.
Our faith must be put into practice. Like Saint James writes in James 2, “faith without works is dead.” Faith is not a passive belief; it compels us to act, to show our love for God and others through service, compassion, and generosity. We as sons and daughters of God are made in his image and likeness. As we open our hearts to God, we reflect his love and grace to others.
Micah 6:8 calls us to do justice, love goodness, and walk humbly with our Lord. This verse reminds me of the ways the City on a Hill hospitality team are answering this call: feeding the poor, inviting nonbelievers and fallen away Catholics to City on a Hill events, mending brokenness in their family dynamic, or even something as simple as providing a listening ear to someone experiencing hardship.
I implore you to pray with our Lord about how you can practice radical hospitality in your life. Hospitality is not confined within church doors or ministry events; it is deeply rooted in who we are as Catholics. Whether in your home, in your family, in a work meeting, in an Uber ride, or at the grocery store—every hospitable act is an opportunity to emulate Christ’s love for the world.
The mysteries of Christ’s life on earth remind us that his hospitality is rooted in the ultimate acts of love—his death and resurrection. These acts are not only the cornerstone of our faith but also a reminder that no situation, no person, and no act of love is ever beyond the transformative power of Christ. Christ’s life, death, and resurrection brings life where there was death, peace where there was turmoil, and hope where there was despair.
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me.” Matthew 25:35-36
About City on a Hill
City on a Hill’s mission is to be the community that inspires and forms the young adult generation to be saints.
Want to stay up-to-date on the happenings and stories from our community?
Subscribe to Our Emails
Looking to support our mission and bring young adults to Christ?
Donate Today