Radical Yes

The counterpart to the Radical Welcome, which too often assumes that one controls the welcoming environment or space, and, as such, creates a power differential. Radical Yes is the practice of saying Yes unequivocally to the invitation of the other into their space, therefore taking the role of the guest and ceding power to the other. It also opens up an opportunity to think about hospitality differently. How do we, as guests, extend hospitality to our hosts?

Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’  And if anyone is there who shares in peace, your peace will rest on that person; but if not, it will return to you.  Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house.  Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you;  cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’  Luke 10: 5-9