Preparing for Interact
As you come to the end of this four-part series on hospitality, take some time to reflect on what you have found most helpful from your time together.
Open up the discussion with this starter question:
What is the most intriguing invitation you have ever received?
Interact//The Arts
Rikrit Tiravanija is known as one of the first artists to introduce active audience participation into the gallery space. In his 1990 piece 'Untitled (pad thai) he transformed a New York gallery space into a kitchen, where he served gallery visitors rice and Thai Curry for free. Tiravanija sought to create a space for people to interact with the work, but also provide space for them to interact with each other. Speaking of his work Tiravanija says "you are not really looking at something, but you are within it, a part of it. The distance between the artist, the art, and the audience gets blurred" [1]. Exploring the theory of 'Relational Aesthetics' the artist wanted people to realise that they are integral to the artwork, moving them from being passive viewers of art into active participants. This is a theme that is realised throughout Tiravanija's practice. Watch this video about the work (3 mins)
Discuss:
What are your initial reflections on the work?
How is the concept of 'invitation' explored in Tiravanija's work?
How do you think active engagement with an artwork changes our relationship with it?
Consider your own creative practice, how important is your audience in your making process?
Interact// The Word
Read Luke 24 v 36-49
36 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”
37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. 38 He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? 39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.”
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. 41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.
44 He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.”
45 Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. 46 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”
Short Reflection:
Luke ends his account of Jesus' life, death and resurrection with one final meal and act of hospitality.
The disciples have just watched their friend Jesus go through an agonising death - but now he is standing right in front of them. They are startled and confused, worried he is an apparition. Jesus helps calm their fears by inviting them to engage with his physically resurrected body. He takes a meal with them to reassure them of his physical presence - he is no ghost. As if the massive detail of Jesus returning from the dead isn't enough, Luke wants to highlight to us the exact type of food Jesus chooses to eat in his resurrected body - a broiled fish. Why? Well, we have seen this reference to fish quite a few times before in Luke. The lives of the disciples are in many ways bookended by a humble fish. In Luke 5, Jesus first meets some of his disciples as he helps them to catch a large haul of fish. In this encounter, he invites them to join him and to become 'fishers of men'. Now as Jesus ends his earthly ministry and ascends to heaven, he invites the disciples to take up this call. He asks the disciples now to serve him the fish, a nod to their calling to go forth as his witnesses, empowered by the Holy Spirit, to share the news of all he has done.
This is also the call given to all those of us who have received and responded to Jesus through their message. We are called to radical hospitality - to share our homes and our food with others, but Jesus sees a greater priority in our hospitality. It is not to simply give food that perishes but to provide an eternally significant invitation to come and receive Jesus. Those who follow Jesus are called to serve and welcome others into the welcome that they have received from Christ. The risen Jesus is the ultimate host, who welcomes all to come to him and receive the gift of eternal life. But he calls those who would be his followers to share the invitation to come and feast on the bread of life.
Discuss:
Why is it so important that Jesus' disciples knew he had been physically resurrected?
What do the disciples now understand about Jesus?
Look back at Luke 5 v 1-11 as Jesus calls his first disciples to join him in becoming 'fishers of men'. How was this calling fulfilled? How had the lives of the disciples changed since their first meeting with Jesus?
The first people to share news of Jesus' life and resurrection were first-hand witnesses and were given power from the Holy Spirit - what reassurances does this give you?
Interact// Ourselves and Others
Jesus invites all those who follow him to take an active part in sharing his Good News.
How has Jesus changed your life since you have known him? (If you are still exploring faith, maybe reflect on how you have seen Jesus change the lives of Christians you know).
What do you think is the role of 'invitation' in the life of a Christian?
How confident do you feel about inviting others to hear the Gospel? What might help to grow this confidence?
Wrapping Up
As you finish this series on hospitality, why not use your next meeting to enact some of what you have read about. Could you meet together for a meal, and invite friends to join you? Or perhaps host an open social for other Uni friends to join in.
Pray to finish:
Thank you Father for your saving work through Jesus' life, death and resurrection. Thank you that news of his work has come to us through your written word and has been brought alive in us through your powerful Spirit. Help us to be active in helping others to encounter this life-changing truth. As we pursue hospitality and generosity, enable us to invite others to know you.
In Jesus' name, we pray,
Amen
[1] https://www.moma.org/explore/inside_out/2012/02/03/rirkrit-tiravanija-cooking-up-an-art-experience/