I'm not sure if it's just me, but I felt incredibly moved by today's meditation. I think it's both the central message of what true hospitality requires of us and the look in sweet Otis's eyes in your picture. Hopefully he will find a good home. Thank you for such a thought-provoking piece Rev C.
Like Carla, I was surprised at hom much this post moved me. To tears. Your description of how your dogs accommodated a newcomer, perhaps. Or maybe the contrast between their kindness and the harsh cruelty toward the Haitian refugees that is being done in our name. At any rate, Cameron, thank you.
Yes, made that connection, too, about how inhospitable the US has become to the Other, whether refugee or not. Wasn't always that way. My maiden name was Wagner; yours might have been Friedmann. Our forebears were threats back when, but contributed to the community, as the modern refugees have done. More than being cruel, inhumane.
Welcome dear goats and dear dog stranger you will find a new home…. The welcome you received from the Cameron home has opened the doorway to someone’s heart… you will find your way … bless us all… we are all strangers at some un-homed space in our heart/soul/spirit.
Cameron, we may not often be aligned, but today we are. We can learn so much from our animal friends, if we just pay attention. Thank you for this moving - and real - story.
Btw, on the days we’re not aligned, I still pay attention and reflect, wishing we had the opportunity to talk live. You matter to many of us.
If it’s true that, “The Earth is the LORD’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it” (Ps. 24:1), then what is mine, including space? I’m merely an occupant. But then my occupancy requires of me this one thing that becomes mine: accommodation. I make, I create accommodation for others who occupy this unowned space where I find myself. And, as we know, creation is always an unfinished, dynamic act. We are merely stewards whose purpose is to accommodate those who belong to God, which is all of life, which is one another. We must trust the common good of those in the world. “I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living,” faiths the psalmist in 27:13. May it be so for all of us, especially when we, like sheep—or even Rottweilers—have gone astray. Thank you for sharing from your good, Cameron. May peace abide… (And he definitely looks like an “Otis” to me. :) )
Cameron, I read this later today. Interesting, I read it well after I had two neighbors drop by at different times, one to share bread she had found at a new bakery and the other who had just made some great cookies to share. But I realized upon reflection that what they both wanted was to sit down and talk for awhile. Which we did. For just a second I felt interrupted in my Friday plan of laundry and reading and finishing a family project. But I am fond of each of these neighbors and it flashed in my mind that as a Benedictine Oblate I follow a Rule that makes hospitality prime..... Benedict says " receive all guests as if they are Christ." Or, as your quote says....angels. Thank you. Love the dog that found you all!!
This article struck me profoundly in the contrast between "welcoming" and "making room for" the stranger. I have struggled to try to help churches understand that it is not enought just to say, "Everyone who comes through our door is welcome." First you gotta get the person TO the door and THROUGH the door, assuming it isn't locked or barricaded. Only then are you given the choice what to do with them? So often people in church are happy to shake hands or pass the peace, but during coffee hour they sit with their friends and families, leaving the newcomer to fend for themselves. They may introduce themselves, but not invest themselves in giving the opportunity for meaningful conversation should the newcomer wish to engage. Your new dog is the perfect example and your family dogs set the right atmosphere for exchange (my cats would not be so tolerant or hospitable, I'm afraid). What it we saw the people who "interrupt" our days in random encounters as those who we want to open a door for making room, should they seek that? In our culture, everything is in bites, even conversations with strangers. How can we develop ways of signalling others that we are open spirits (not unlike Jesus who never met a stranger!) who have the time and heart to truly see them, listen to them? Not to interview or convert, but to make room for? Churches could become agents of hospitality in meaningful ways. Again, thank you.
This was a beautiful reflection on adjusting to change. We have increased by 2 humans and a dog. Your article has helped me view it as making room, adjusting and welcoming. 😊
I'm not sure if it's just me, but I felt incredibly moved by today's meditation. I think it's both the central message of what true hospitality requires of us and the look in sweet Otis's eyes in your picture. Hopefully he will find a good home. Thank you for such a thought-provoking piece Rev C.
Like Carla, I was surprised at hom much this post moved me. To tears. Your description of how your dogs accommodated a newcomer, perhaps. Or maybe the contrast between their kindness and the harsh cruelty toward the Haitian refugees that is being done in our name. At any rate, Cameron, thank you.
Yes, made that connection, too, about how inhospitable the US has become to the Other, whether refugee or not. Wasn't always that way. My maiden name was Wagner; yours might have been Friedmann. Our forebears were threats back when, but contributed to the community, as the modern refugees have done. More than being cruel, inhumane.
Atticus, Evie
arrived, home... Otis showed up!
Wise welcomes, warm walls?
Welcome dear goats and dear dog stranger you will find a new home…. The welcome you received from the Cameron home has opened the doorway to someone’s heart… you will find your way … bless us all… we are all strangers at some un-homed space in our heart/soul/spirit.
Cameron, we may not often be aligned, but today we are. We can learn so much from our animal friends, if we just pay attention. Thank you for this moving - and real - story.
Btw, on the days we’re not aligned, I still pay attention and reflect, wishing we had the opportunity to talk live. You matter to many of us.
If it’s true that, “The Earth is the LORD’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it” (Ps. 24:1), then what is mine, including space? I’m merely an occupant. But then my occupancy requires of me this one thing that becomes mine: accommodation. I make, I create accommodation for others who occupy this unowned space where I find myself. And, as we know, creation is always an unfinished, dynamic act. We are merely stewards whose purpose is to accommodate those who belong to God, which is all of life, which is one another. We must trust the common good of those in the world. “I believe that I shall see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living,” faiths the psalmist in 27:13. May it be so for all of us, especially when we, like sheep—or even Rottweilers—have gone astray. Thank you for sharing from your good, Cameron. May peace abide… (And he definitely looks like an “Otis” to me. :) )
Cameron, I read this later today. Interesting, I read it well after I had two neighbors drop by at different times, one to share bread she had found at a new bakery and the other who had just made some great cookies to share. But I realized upon reflection that what they both wanted was to sit down and talk for awhile. Which we did. For just a second I felt interrupted in my Friday plan of laundry and reading and finishing a family project. But I am fond of each of these neighbors and it flashed in my mind that as a Benedictine Oblate I follow a Rule that makes hospitality prime..... Benedict says " receive all guests as if they are Christ." Or, as your quote says....angels. Thank you. Love the dog that found you all!!
This article struck me profoundly in the contrast between "welcoming" and "making room for" the stranger. I have struggled to try to help churches understand that it is not enought just to say, "Everyone who comes through our door is welcome." First you gotta get the person TO the door and THROUGH the door, assuming it isn't locked or barricaded. Only then are you given the choice what to do with them? So often people in church are happy to shake hands or pass the peace, but during coffee hour they sit with their friends and families, leaving the newcomer to fend for themselves. They may introduce themselves, but not invest themselves in giving the opportunity for meaningful conversation should the newcomer wish to engage. Your new dog is the perfect example and your family dogs set the right atmosphere for exchange (my cats would not be so tolerant or hospitable, I'm afraid). What it we saw the people who "interrupt" our days in random encounters as those who we want to open a door for making room, should they seek that? In our culture, everything is in bites, even conversations with strangers. How can we develop ways of signalling others that we are open spirits (not unlike Jesus who never met a stranger!) who have the time and heart to truly see them, listen to them? Not to interview or convert, but to make room for? Churches could become agents of hospitality in meaningful ways. Again, thank you.
This was a beautiful reflection on adjusting to change. We have increased by 2 humans and a dog. Your article has helped me view it as making room, adjusting and welcoming. 😊
Please listen to "Draw the Circle Wide"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcIQrWOYug8&list=RDPcIQrWOYug8&start_radio=1
Beautiful and adorable animals and souls!