Radical Hospitality: Benedict's Way of Love: Benedict's Way of Love, 2nd Edition

I picked up Radical Hospiality because of a sermon I heard in Boston awhile ago while visiting a friend from college. I did not catch the name of the author, authors as it turns out, but I was sure the minister, a woman, was quoting from a book. When I did a internet search it turned out that the phrase Radical Hospitality is used by religious and social groups from churches to conventions, all around the world. What I amazed by is that so few of the people, like the minister, name where they got their quotes or who they are quoting. This is a very fine book. It borders on brilliant actually and I am not the sort to use such a word casually. Why would anyone not want to give these authors the credit they deserve? The book, Radical Hospitality is challenging in a gentle way. I never once felt like the writers were shoving some agenda down my throat. There is just this level of telling their own experience and stories that any half-brain dead person could tell is from their hearts. Don't get me wrong. It is not a personal experience kind of book and it is not a book for anyone who like fluff instead of substance. But, if you are looking for a book about what has gone wrong in how we relate to one another, this is it. And if you love it too, be sure you tell people who you're quoting!

What a delight to read "Radical Hospitality", written by a monk and a mom. Both worlds, that of the monastery and the family home, are primary places of hospitality. Lonni & Daniel weave their lives, stories and faith together into a durable and beautiful welcome rug, inviting all who dare step this way into a life of "radical hospitality". The title word "radical" may turn some away from this book due to connotations of rebellion and anarchy. Don't let it. "Radical" simply means "having to do with the root, the radix". Benedictine hospitality is truly radical, returning us to our roots, our true heart home in God the God who welcomes us as we are, where we are, who we are. Hospitality begins at home with God, and at home where we live, eat, sleep and love on a daily basis with others. Radical hospitality is the true balm to heal the wounds of nations, and bring peace. But will we live this way? For another book that explores Benedictine hospitality in the home, look into THE BUSY FAMILY'S GUIDE TO SPIRITUALITY (Crossroad, 2009). The Busy Family's Guide to Spirituality: Practical Lessons for Modern Living From the Monastic Tradition

Just like Benedict himself, always challenging the individual to come to the heart of Christ, in the stranger. I used this book for lectio and the encounter with God and myself was an unbelievable experience. It challenged and reaffirmed my own identity as a lay person, who seeks to live the Benedictine way, to be more hospitable. In many cases this book will either root you more deeply in the heart of Jesus and open your life or uproot one from the rocky soil and plant them in the fertile soil. Either way this book causes the individual to seriously challenge and examine they way we all live our lives as hospitable people. It's not a flighty warm fuzzy book, but you don't get lost in monstastic terminology either. It is really practical in dealing with the lay person and reflecting on how we can live radical hospitality reflected by a monastic. Lonni and Fr. Dan does a great job!! Dominus vobiscum!

There's a danger in thinking this book is about being nice or anxious to entertain guests. There is no normal sense of the word hospitality by which one can identify the message of Radical Hospitality. It is clear-headed, wildly fun to read with unexpected sorts of stories about real people. Personally, I mistrust rave reviews. Can any book be so worthwhile that it merits no criticism? I found nothing to dislike in this vision of a kinder world. A monk who writes with a pretty woman can't be all bad.

I gave away several copies of Benedict's Way, the last book from Homan and Pratt. I was very excited about this book and I'm not disappointed in the authors at all. It can't be an easy thing for two people, obviously such different people, to write in a single voice but they do and there is something about their single voice that is stronger than the dual voices they had in Benedicts Way. This is not exactly a "practical" book, it is about becoming rather than how to do something. The authors are upfront about that so if you are looking for a how-to guide you'll be disappointed. I liked their redefining of hospitality, taking it beyond our narrow understanding of the word. The 9/11 link is present in the book but it isn't something dripping from every line, it is really not a 9/11 book even though it was mentioned somewhere as one of the best books written on 9/11. I hope we hear a lot more from this writing pair. A couple observations. I had a difficult time getting used to the combined voice of a monk and a woman. Not sure why it bothered me at first but it did. By the second chapter I realized that my discomfort was gone. I expected something along the lines of Benedicts Way, and this is a different book. I also had to get past my expectation. However, it is a great read, very moving and profound. The authors do things with words that I've never read before. I like it very much and hope there are more coming.