"The Alphabet of Mercy" | A for Hospitality
A letter of the alphabet and then think of a word that reminds us of the works of mercy. With the letter A, the column begins. spazio + spadoni
Father Giovanni Piumatti, our author, is a fidei donum of the diocese of Pinerolo returned after 50 years in missione In North Kivu, Congo. For the column "The Alphabet of Mercy," he chose the word "Welcome"...
When thinking of a word that begins with -A, the word “love” immediately comes to mind, clearly and evidently, but it has a 360-degree horizon.
One aspect of love, for me, is acceptance, which makes me think of various situations I've experienced.
Just a few days ago, a friend of mine, Marco, invited me to his home. He, his wife Franca, and their children welcomed me into their home to stay with them, insisting that I not go elsewhere. Just as Abraham did with the three strangers who passed by his tent. They wanted to continue their journey, and he told them not to do them the wrong by leaving, not to take away their opportunity to welcome them.
For those who truly welcome others, that yes becomes a gift..
I remember years ago, in Muhanga (North Kivu), it was a time of guerrilla warfare; people were fleeing their homes and taking refuge in nearby villages.
One day, during a moment of prayer, one of our good young fathers thanked the Lord because through the war he had discovered a gift from God: the welcome his friends gave him when he too had to flee. “They gave me a roof and blankets. And the food they offered me wasn't something they bought for me; it was something they gave me,” Xavier said.
And I finally understood what hospitality is:
what is mine becomes yours too.
Today, a lot of funds are invested to set up many worksBut true hospitality is not a structure with a nice name on the sign, which perhaps remains empty or requires a thousand permits and conditions to enter. Hospitality, for me, is the heart Abraham's heart, Mark's heart, Xavier's heart.
We look for that kind of welcome, we do that.
If you too want to write "your" word of mercy, choose a letter and send it to: editor@spaziospadoni.org (Loredana Brigante)
Image
- Image digitally created by spazio + spadoni
A letter of the alphabet and then think of a word that reminds us of the works of mercy. With the letter A, the column begins. spazio + spadoni
Father Giovanni Piumatti, our author, is a fidei donum of the diocese of Pinerolo returned after 50 years in missione In North Kivu, Congo. For the column "The Alphabet of Mercy," he chose the word "Welcome"...
When thinking of a word that begins with -A, the word “love” immediately comes to mind, clearly and evidently, but it has a 360-degree horizon.
One aspect of love, for me, is acceptance, which makes me think of various situations I've experienced.
Just a few days ago, a friend of mine, Marco, invited me to his home. He, his wife Franca, and their children welcomed me into their home to stay with them, insisting that I not go elsewhere. Just as Abraham did with the three strangers who passed by his tent. They wanted to continue their journey, and he told them not to do them the wrong by leaving, not to take away their opportunity to welcome them.
For those who truly welcome others, that yes becomes a gift..
I remember years ago, in Muhanga (North Kivu), it was a time of guerrilla warfare; people were fleeing their homes and taking refuge in nearby villages.
One day, during a moment of prayer, one of our good young fathers thanked the Lord because through the war he had discovered a gift from God: the welcome his friends gave him when he too had to flee. “They gave me a roof and blankets. And the food they offered me wasn't something they bought for me; it was something they gave me,” Xavier said.
And I finally understood what hospitality is:
what is mine becomes yours too.
Today, a lot of funds are invested to set up many worksBut true hospitality is not a structure with a nice name on the sign, which perhaps remains empty or requires a thousand permits and conditions to enter. Hospitality, for me, is the heart Abraham's heart, Mark's heart, Xavier's heart.
We look for that kind of welcome, we do that.
If you too want to write "your" word of mercy, choose a letter and send it to: editor@spaziospadoni.org (Loredana Brigante)
Image
- Image digitally created by spazio + spadoni
