Inclusive Christianity: A Framework from Biblical Hospitality Customs (original) (raw)

This paper presents a framework drawn from biblical hospitality customs aiming to improve disability practices within the Church. Attention is drawn to Catholic Social Teaching and the prevalence of disability to inform the need for improving pastoral practice. A historical investigation into hospitality customs provides a context for biblical analysis and analogy. The disabled community is argued to be analogous to the hospitality practice given to ‘strangers’ in Ancient Near Eastern customs. Hence, both Old Testament and New Testament accounts of hospitality are to be investigated. Key biblical passages, such as Luke 4:14–30, Luke 14:16–21, Lev 19:33–34, and Isa 25:6– 10, are examined in light of the analogy between ‘disabled-stranger’ paradigm. The findings of the paper conclude that the application, mutatis mutandis, of ancient practices into the modern context is relevant. Its relevancy leads to a call for the Church to be a hospitable host to all who wish to eat at the table of God in the Eucharist. Ultimately, it is hoped that this paper would provide the disabled community with a first step toward better access and inclusion to Church life than they currently have.