Radical hospitality as illustrated by the life of Bill Ross

The overriding subject matter for my directed mediation this week is “Love One Another.” Today it asked me to think about radical hospitality. Radical is an interesting word – “relating to, or proceeding from the root,” “relating to the origin: fundamental,” “marked by a considerable departure from the usual or traditional: Extreme” – are but a few of the dictionary definitions.

A hospitality that is expressed out of the very core of our being; a hospitality that is simply a reality of our relationship with Jesus Christ; a hospitality that the world views as different and unusual; a hospitality that is more than just making people feel welcomed; a hospitality that doesn’t just go the second mile, but also the third, fourth and tenth extra mile … Radical hospitality.

When I think of radical hospitality I think of Bill Ross. My home church was started on his grandmother’s front porch. When anyone spoke of Allapattah Methodist they spoke and thought of Bill Ross and vise versa. You could use either one to define the other. They were one and the same. Bill showed radical hospitality. He could spot a visitor to the church at first glance. He didn’t need the visitors to stand up and identify themselves. He knew. And if you were absent from church he knew … and this wasn’t a small congregation and there were multiple services on Sunday morning. He simply knew the people because of an incredible love. His radical hospitality was rooted in his relationship with Christ. If Christ loved them then Bill Ross loved them. It was fundamental to who and what he was … and it was extreme.

Bill had a warm handshake, a bear of a hug, and a smile that would melt steel. His laugh would fill a stadium and spill out. Once he had you in his sight there was no escaping. His joy was contagious. You were not in his presence for very long before you discovered the source of his caring and the root of his love … namely, Jesus Christ. He radiated this love.

It was shared at his memorial service that when they sat down for Sunday dinner they never knew how many people would be putting their feet under their dining room table. Could be just the family or it could family plus ten or twelve more. They simply never knew. This “Ross Tradition” started during the war. If anyone showed up in a military uniform they were going to end up at the Ross home for Sunday dinner.

After the war this “tradition” carried over to those young men who attend Emery-Riddle just down the street from the church. And then Bill would start picking up any visitor who attended the worship service. The question was always asked, “Do you have plans for lunch?” It was hard to refuse his offer especially with his arm wrapped around your shoulder and his eyes locked on yours … and that ever warming smile. It was so warm, so inviting, so genuine, so … well, it was just so Bill Rose!

Radical hospitality – doing what nobody else would do, extending a welcome and an invite like nobody else, making the stranger feel like family, caring for the person deeper than they even care for themselves, going beyond the expected, making a difference, imprinting their soul with the outline of Christ – radical hospitality.

With Bill Ross the same radical hospitality was experienced if you visited his little soda shop or was just a stranger on the street. He never met anyone he didn’t instantly love, fell into a deep conversation with and would know your life story before you said your goodbyes. He was genuine, unique and deeply committed to changing the world in which he lived. He was radical in every way. The dictionary must have had him in mind when writing the definition. Was so amazing is that he didn’t have to go out of his way nor force himself to remember or to try … it just flowed from his inner being … his core values. Radical hospitality was as natural to Bill as was breathing.

As Christians were are called to show radical hospitality. As the opening prayer in my weekly meditation guide reads: “Turn our hostility into hospitality and our callousness into care.” What a prayer, what a thought, what a challenge … what a goal!

Quote for today: May peace be with you while you stay, and joy be with you on your way. ~An Irish blessing