Early church father John Chrysostom (347-407) instructed Christians to put their hearts into welcoming the stranger, “as if one were receiving Christ himself.” Bass put it more bluntly for today’s faithful: “Hospitality is the practice that keeps the church from becoming a club, a members only society.” RECLAIMING CHRISTIAN HOSPITALITYĪccording to historian Diana Butler Bass, early Christians understood the Great Commandment of Jesus - to love God and to love one another - as a call to radical welcome. Increasingly, however, churches from Detroit to Vatican City are welcoming the provocative sculpture, helping passersby open their hearts and minds to the marginalized who crouch in the shadows. The “Homeless Jesus” sculpture has been turned down by decision-makers at a number of prominent cathedrals who deem the depiction offensive. His bronze sculpture, “Homeless Jesus,” depicts a frail figure wrapped in a blanket and curled up on a park bench, crucifixion wounds visible on his bare feet.įar from the virile, broad-shouldered Jesus often depicted preaching on a hillside or striding confidently over the water, this vulnerable figure was inspired by what Jesus said in Matthew 25: “For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me… “ SchmalzĬanadian sculptor Timothy Schmalz has learned that many of us are uncomfortable when confronted with images of the stranger-Jesus. What? With the baffled biblical crowd described in Matthew 25, we plead, “Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to thee?” The answer Jesus gave has not gotten any easier to hear. We build walls to keep them out, fill detention centers and prisons to keep them away.īut then we hear Jesus say, you did this to me. We trip over them in the streets, dodge their curses, pay for them with our taxes. It is easy to romanticize the outcasts of Jesus’ day: the despised Samaritans, the wanton woman at the well, the ubiquitous lepers. Can’t you hear him?” WHEN DID WE SEE THEE? sang, “ SOMEBODY’S KNOCKING AT YOUR DOOR.” They sang, “Knocks like Jesus! …. Is it an undocumented immigrant? a drug addict? a chain-smoking prostitute?Įnslaved workers in the U.S. This example can also be categorized as Gospel as it is a gospelized version of that African American Spiritual.“Christ of Maryknoll” by Br. I don't know why this isn't up on YouTube, but here it is. (unknown composer/s African American Spiritual)Įxample #1: Somebody's Knocking At Your DoorĮxample #2: Somebody's Knocking-James Cleveland Parts 1 and 2 STANDARD LYRICS- SOMEBODY'S KNOCKING AT YOUR DOOR Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these examples on YouTube. James Cleveland and all those who are showcased in these sound files. Thanks to the unknown composer/s of this song and thanks to Franklin Willis, Rev. The content of this post is presented for cultural, religious, and aesthetic purposes. Part II showcases the song "Someone's at the Door" by Nigerian vocalist Nathaniel Bassey. Standard lyrics for this song are also included in this post.Ĭlick for Part II of this series. Part I of this series showcases one YouTube sound files of the African American Spiritual "Somebody's Knocking At Your Door" by Franklin Willis and one gospelized version of that Spiritual by Rev. This is Part I of a two part pancocojams series on songs with the lyrics "Somebody's Knocking At Your Door" or similar titles.
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