By Jonathan Raymond

Every four years the winter and summer Olympics occasion the gathering of the world to a desirable and desirous venue; desirable because the destination holds some promise of discovery for persons who not only wish to see the games, but also experience some exotic or historic part of the world, and desirous because the venue hopes to attract further fame and fortune believing the Olympics to be an economic engine for the local and national economy for years to follow. That is the promise of the winter Olympics as they are to be held in Vancouver and Whistler, British Columbia in 2010. In hosting this grandest of grand sports events, Canadians will hope for a treasure trove of gold medals and identify with every success by Team Canada.

There is a whole side to the Olympics that holds ever greater promise, the promise of something more than gold. It is the promise of radical hospitality. Radical hospitality is more than the occasional, superficial tea party on a Sunday afternoon, or beverage offered on a flight to Vancouver. Radical hospitality is "Making Room" which is the title of a wonderful book by Christine Pohl, Associate Professor at Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky (USA). In Pohl's book, such hospitality intentionally goes out of the way for the good of the stranger. It is hospitality after the teaching and example of Jesus Christ whose directives included feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, giving shelter to the those without, and otherwise making room for the marginalized, dispossessed, and forgotten. In short, Christ's priority is on radical hospitality to the poor, to those in need, to the estranged. It is a radical priority on the importance of making room to love even the unlovable. The inherent value to be found in such hospitality is worth more than gold.

Continue article >>

As the world comes to Vancouver, there is the tremendous opportunity for more than merely economic gain. There is the prospect of being known as a city, region, and country that makes room for others, all others. For Christians, it is an opportunity to lead the way, to be exemplary, to set the bar high in making room and living out radical hospitality. To do so is to live out the Gospel, the Good News found in the foundational verse about the identity of Jesus, John 1:14 Ñ The Word became flesh . . . full of grace and truth.

When radical hospitality is lived out in ways that bless the world, the grace of Christ makes the truth of the Gospel self-evident, clear, and transparent for all to see. We are reminded of the accompanying scripture in the gospel of Matthew, chapter 5:12 - "Let your light so shine that the world sees your good works and glorifies the Father."

Radical hospitality brings rewards to the world worth more than gold!

PS. To know how you can participate in radical hospitality and bring More Than Gold to the 2010 winter Olympics held in Vancouver, British Columbia, check out this web site: www.morethangold.ca

The above article appears on the 'President's Blog' http://jonathanraymond.blogspot.com

Jonathan Raymond is the President of Trinity Western University, an independent liberal arts and sciences university in Langley, BC.

June 18/2009