Book: Radical Hospitality: Benedict's Way of Love

Radical Hospitality: Benedict's Way of Love by Lonni Collins Pratt with Fr Daniel Homan OSB.
Publisher: Paraclete Press

During the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity in 2020, Pope Francis told the faithful who were gathered in the Paul VI Hall in Rome and watching or listening via various media outlets that "spontaneous hospitality and thoughtful gestures communicate something of God's love". Along with prayer, listening, humility and stability, hospitality is a key foundation of Benedictine spirituality.

Radical Hospitality, Benedict's Way of Love is a powerful and thought provoking book that can enable the reader to embrace and to grow in the true meaning of love for others. Living the Rule of St Benedict is not easy task for either monastics or those attempting to live it in non monastic settings, however striving to embrace it can be extremely rewarding.

Lonni Collins Pratt and Fr Daniel Homan OSB illustrate beautifully through the pages of this book, examples and stories peppered with various aspects of monastic wisdom, how various aspects of radical hospitality linked in with Benedictine teaching can enable our hearts to become more open to others and in turn bring us closer to God.

This marvellous book is one that can be read at any pace, it is certainly one that a church or community book group could consider making use of and it is certainly one that could enrich anyones spiritual reading.

Life presents us all with many challenges and often the times we need to be there for others may be somewhat inconvenient for ourselves. This book challenges the reader to constantly be open to hospitality in every situation or encounter with others, it gets the reader to consider how true meaning and purpose can be gained through hospitality and encourages the reader to explore how hospitable gestures can come in all forms, shapes, sizes and styles.

The real life experiences of the authors enrich the pages of this book and really bring the concepts of true hospitality to life. Written in accessible language with everyday life situations focused on, each chapter gives the reader food for thought and does not hide away from difficult concepts. There are sections of the book exploring how with regard to the concept of hospitality we must be hospitable and make room for ourselves, in a world with so many pressures and distractions this is certainly an important concept to explore.

The Rule of St Benedict can be appreciated by anyone who wants to expose themselves to it. This book exposes the reader to the Rule through the lens of hospitality which remains a fundamental concept in Benedictine monasteries throughout the world today. This delightful book would certainly make good Lent reading and has the ability to help guide the reader closer to God through a deeper appreciation hospitality and examples of how it can be put into action.

LINK

Radical Hospitality: Benedict's Way of Love
www.waterstones.com/book/radical-hospitality/lonni-collins-pratt/daniel-homan/9781557258915