Radical Hospitality at the Edge of the World

                                                                     Gander runways following 911 

 Let mutual affection continue.  Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. 

Hebrews 13: 1-2 NRSVue

Today is the 25th anniversary of a day of infamy when terrorists attacked key sites in the United States, including the two World Trade Towers. I recall vividly the custodian of the church I served in Halifax, Nova Scotia, coming to my study to report what he'd heard of the unfolding story. The staff gathered to watch the seemingly incomprehensible collapse of the towers. That evening our Presbytery met for its regular meeting and we discussed how our congregations might participate in providing shelter to the occupants of planes forced to land at Halifax airport, although that proved to be unnecessary. 

Through this day there will be special events in Gander, Newfoundland, to mark this solemn occasion, Gander, with fewer than 10,000 residents, along with surrounding communities sheltered 6.000 bewildered passengers from dozens of jet planes which landed at Gander airport. Over the next few days these communities exhibited extraordinary hospitality, providing food and shelter and remarkable human kindness to these frightened visitors. 

 My first pastoral charge was not far from Gander and our son was born in the Gander hospital. We spend time almost yearly on islands an hour and a half from Gander and land at the same airport with its one, small baggage carousel.  It feels more like a bus station than an international airport.  We have tried to imagine the chaos of those first few hours yet a small miracle unfolded. Locals welcomed strangers into their homes, grocery stores provided food for communal meals, parties were organized for children. There was no expectation of financial recompense. 

Beverley Bass, the pilot of an American Airlines flight that diverted to Gander, Nfld., on 9/11, greets retired air traffic controller Patrick Woodford at the local airport this week.

A couple of years ago we saw the musical Come From Away about these events in Gander and it was moving. The guy who runs the food concession in the theatre came onto the stage before the production to speak about those tumultuous days. 

Many of the stranded will be in Gander today, people who are immensely grateful for the kindness they experienced. They are appalled by the harsh treatment Canada and Canadians are receiving from the current American administration. It's as though we are enemies rather than loyal neighbours and the tone and actions are deeply alienating. 

One of the chief offenders is Ambassador Pete Hoekstra, a belligerent flack whose presence at today's commemoration offends many, me included -- he's no angel. Yet I am reminded by scripture and by Jesus that we are to welcome strangers and to love our enemies. Nearly all religions include hospitality as a virtue but Jesus instructs us to practice radical love for those who we would prefer to shun. I'll probably be working on this directive for the rest of my life.

 I pray that all goes well in Gander today and that this commemoration of astonishing hospitality transcends politics. 

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven, for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous.  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?

                          Matthew 5: 43-46 NRSVue