The word hospitality dates from the fourteenth century. To be exact, according
to the Oxford English Dictionary, (even more of an authoritative source now
that we’re in Oxford) the word was first used in 1382. Oxford University was officially
named a university in 1231, but though the college may be older than the word,
it has been mine and Laura’s experience that the two have intersected countless
times during our month-long sojourn. The OED defines hospitality as “the act or
practice of being hospitable; the reception and entertainment of guests,
visitors, or strangers, with liberality and goodwill.” Liberality of course
connotes magnanimity and goodwill the state of wishing another well. It is
certainly true that we have encountered hospitality in Oxford, but I would
venture further to say that we have found love.
Happiness means that our deepest
desires are fulfilled, but it is clear that there is something greater than
mere knowledge for which man thirsts. Pope John Paul II had a brilliant insight,
which rings with the sweetness of truth: man is made for love. He will be
content with books and learning, but they offer limited companionship—in fact
their friendship is hollow because communication is one-sided. The love of
friendship has extended its hand graciously to Laura and me during our short
time here, and it continues to do so generously. We have been invited into the
intimacy of our friends’ homes for tea, dinner, and fellowship, but beyond
this, we have been welcomed into the depths of their hearts.
These are the people who stop us in
the street not only to greet us, but to treat us to lunch in their hall. These
are the people who invite us not just to partake of home-make sandwiches and
crumpets, but to join them in the most intimate of activities shared among
friends: prayer. In the Aquinas Study Group that meets every Monday evening, we
have met other young people who see the
same truth as us. When there is such a deep connection as the foundation
based on virtue, it seems like we have known these friends for months--maybe even longer.
No matter if we ever return to
Oxfordshire or not, what is certain is that a world has been unlocked to us,
for Oxford is not just a single university but a world. This world is comprised
of numerous unique halls that each has its own story to recount as well as
countless libraries, green courtyards, and enchanted passages. This is a world
vibrant with history and music and art and faith. We have been ushered into
this world because there was someone on the other side to turn the key and show
us not the shadows of light but its actual source. The source is of course
Christ. C.S. Lewis explains that He tells a group of friends: “You have not
chosen one another but I have chosen you for one another,” and this is very
good.