HOPE

DAY 35, LETTER 35

By Paul W. Chilcote

“An administration characterized by hospitality will sow seeds of hope, the implications of which are boundless . . .”

Dear President Trump, Vice President Pence, Members of the Trump Administration and the 115th Congress,

Spiritual character defines us as human beings. The practice of virtues shapes communities, even nations, with hospitality standing out as one of the virtues that has become increasingly important in my life of faith. The shape of my own family—now representing four continents—reflects this virtue. Hospitality made this gift of love possible.

You may not recognize the name Jürgen Moltmann. He is a German theologian known as the father of the “theology of hope.” He once told me a story about his experience in World War II that shaped my life.

During the war there was a German prisoner of war camp in England. A young pastor and his wife served a small Methodist circuit of churches in the neighborhood. They were filled with compassion for the soldiers there and spurred to action. So they went to the commander and asked permission to take a prisoner with them to church each Sunday, and then to their home where they would share a meal. Surprisingly, the commander agreed. Sunday after Sunday, a steady flow of German soldiers worshiped and ate with the pastor and his wife in their home. This world-famous theologian looked at me intently and said, “One of those soldiers was a young man by the name of Jürgen Moltmann. And I want you to know that the seed of hope was planted in my heart around Frank and Nellie Baker’s dinner table.”

I encourage you to practice this virtue of hospitality and weave it into the life of your administration. I believe all people today yearn for hope. An administration characterized by hospitality will sow seeds of hope, the implications of which are boundless, shaping immigration policy, relations with enemies and allies alike, and the way we look at people different from

ourselves. I pray that our nation will be a table of hospitality that makes the gift of love possible.