The Touchstone of Radical Hospitality—Personal Experiences and Reflections

The prevailing perception of hospitality among everyday Westerners often centres around venues like restaurants, cafes, hotels, and social gatherings by invitation. These impressions stem from the thriving hospitality industry, closely entwined with the tourism sector, celebrated for its apparent positive impact on the gross domestic product. This paper endeavours to rekindle a deeper essence, a wider awareness, and a more inclusive and varied embodiment of hospitality—an essence with profound historical relevance for the sustenance of civilizations. The narrative reflects the journey of a university chaplain delving into the means of fostering human flourishing amidst the tapestry of human diversity within a pluralistic environment. The form of radical hospitality it advocates draws upon its religious origins, evolving into a more politically radical concept in contemporary times as it inevitably challenges reductionist tendencies ingrained in the modern Western paradigm. The essence of this paper advocates for embracing such comprehensions and embodying such practices as essential cornerstones for our collective survival.