Fifteen hundred years ago, in the written rules of the monasteries of the Benedictine Order, there was a directive stating that inside the gates there should live a porter, a wise old man whose wandering days were ended. It was his charge to welcome visitors, to deal with inquiries, and to give whatever help was required. With each knock on the door, he was to issue one of two calls to the person on the other side. The porter’s call was either, “Thanks be to God.” or “Your blessing please.” The first call was an acknowledgement of the One to whom all thanks is to be given and under whose care we live. The second reflected the humble belief that whoever came to the door, regardless of their condition; he or she had something to give not only to the porter but to the world at large.