Frances Roark was a wonderful friend who had the gift of hospitality. Frances was an Italian-American from New York City who met and married a Kentucky soldier during World War II and returned with him to his native Kentucky. She opened her home weekly to friends and family, even strangers new to the community and church. In her basement, where most of her wonderful gift of hospitality was expressed, there was a white support pole from floor to ceiling that was immediately noticeable when one entered the room. On this pole, were the names of everyone Frances ever invited to her home, for you see a rite of entrance to the home was to sign the pole. I was privileged to have my name on that pole and found myself reading, whenever I visited, the names on that pole to see who had been added and who had become a treasured friend of the host.
I thought of Frances when reading Nouwen's words; "...in the context of hospitality guest and host can reveal their most precious gifts and bring new life to each other." Loving God and allowing God to love others through you, opens doors for hospitality that bring new life. On this Lenten journey, allow those doors to open wide and see what God might do.
JKA
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