As a full-time nomad, I challenge myself to find ways to open the door and set the table. Sometimes that takes place inside our tiny home on wheels, but more often it means potluck picnics and sharing a glass of wine with fellow travelers in our camp chairs as we gaze at the stars together and discuss life. I absolutely believe leaning into community is the best hope we've got as the end draws near.
Elizabeth, I was struck recently by Isaiah 25:6. Isaiah 24-27 is known as the little apocalypse, it starts off "Look, the LORD is ready to devastate the earth and leave it in ruins; he will mar its surface and scatter its inhabitants" [NET]; but in the middle of that is a banquet 25:6 "The LORD of Heaven’s Armies will hold a banquet for all the nations on this mountain. At this banquet there will be plenty of meat and aged wine – tender meat and choicest wine!" What do you think? Thanks for your work Elizabeth. About to share it with our son, who is writing a piece for himself on 'identity'.
I love this. This may be far out, but I’ve always understood Isaiah 25:5-9 as describing Calvary and the Eucharist. “On that holy mountain…I will remove their disgrace and wipe the tears from their eyes”. And the author of Revelation picks it up again in the description of the new creation. Something to hold on to, that hospitality and grace and new life are the work of God, and are our work, too.
Ever since I quit my nice secure comfortable academic post in 2000 (aged 44), I've been trying to find a way to 'drop back in' which has integrity for me. Not so easy, but the journey has (and continues to be) interesting, to say the least. As an evangelical-christianity-survivor the article came with an added spark.
I agree that open community (rather than bunkering down) is the most powerful and pragmatic preparation for whatever the doomer-or-denier future holds. Here in central Portugal, many of us escapees from northern Europe are slowly rediscovering our community feet - helped greatly by the example of the Portuguese rural community who never lost it.
Thanks for this important call to hospitality. Just this week I read 1 Timothy and Titus, and I was struck by how Paul highlights the importance of hospitality for elders/church leaders (1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:8). I can imagine the value of open meals at the time—and you highlight well how unnatural these seems now (but how important they still are!).
Yes! Cultivating our shared humanity, despite our messy houses and everything else is more important than ever. Thanks for this beautiful post to start off my day. You inspired me to dip back into this book:
"cheap, non-photogenic daal" - the manna our moment needs. xx
“Scared witless? Knock on your neighbours door. Open your own wide.”
Beautiful. Thank you for connecting my religious faith to an ethos I’ve always held. 🙏
As a full-time nomad, I challenge myself to find ways to open the door and set the table. Sometimes that takes place inside our tiny home on wheels, but more often it means potluck picnics and sharing a glass of wine with fellow travelers in our camp chairs as we gaze at the stars together and discuss life. I absolutely believe leaning into community is the best hope we've got as the end draws near.
Love this
Elizabeth, I was struck recently by Isaiah 25:6. Isaiah 24-27 is known as the little apocalypse, it starts off "Look, the LORD is ready to devastate the earth and leave it in ruins; he will mar its surface and scatter its inhabitants" [NET]; but in the middle of that is a banquet 25:6 "The LORD of Heaven’s Armies will hold a banquet for all the nations on this mountain. At this banquet there will be plenty of meat and aged wine – tender meat and choicest wine!" What do you think? Thanks for your work Elizabeth. About to share it with our son, who is writing a piece for himself on 'identity'.
I love this. This may be far out, but I’ve always understood Isaiah 25:5-9 as describing Calvary and the Eucharist. “On that holy mountain…I will remove their disgrace and wipe the tears from their eyes”. And the author of Revelation picks it up again in the description of the new creation. Something to hold on to, that hospitality and grace and new life are the work of God, and are our work, too.
legit tho guys, if you're in Hamilton, Ontario just drop by for potluck, coffee, or to grab a canoe.
Ever since I quit my nice secure comfortable academic post in 2000 (aged 44), I've been trying to find a way to 'drop back in' which has integrity for me. Not so easy, but the journey has (and continues to be) interesting, to say the least. As an evangelical-christianity-survivor the article came with an added spark.
I agree that open community (rather than bunkering down) is the most powerful and pragmatic preparation for whatever the doomer-or-denier future holds. Here in central Portugal, many of us escapees from northern Europe are slowly rediscovering our community feet - helped greatly by the example of the Portuguese rural community who never lost it.
Thanks for this important call to hospitality. Just this week I read 1 Timothy and Titus, and I was struck by how Paul highlights the importance of hospitality for elders/church leaders (1 Timothy 3:2 and Titus 1:8). I can imagine the value of open meals at the time—and you highlight well how unnatural these seems now (but how important they still are!).
Thank you yes 'love thy neighbour'. I loved your interview with Sarah Wilson.
This comment thread inspired a prayer/poem that has been growing in my heart the past week. If you feel inspired to read it, here it is: https://substack.com/home/post/p-150214186?source=queue&autoPlay=false
However I am also Canadian and am desperately self effacing and feel morally obligated to say please don't feel obligated...
It’s beautiful
Yes! Cultivating our shared humanity, despite our messy houses and everything else is more important than ever. Thanks for this beautiful post to start off my day. You inspired me to dip back into this book:
https://bookshop.org/p/books/surviving-the-future-culture-carnival-and-capital-in-the-aftermath-of-the-market-economy-david-fleming/8759522?ean=9781603586467