The “foreigner-host”. Revisiting Cacciari’s “the common” in the Context of Migration

• Ezequiel Silva Ecumenical Network of Theological Education https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9827-5659

DOI: https://doi.org/10.7833/124-1-2290

Keywords: Foreign God, Migrations, Community, Hospitality, Exile, Massimo Cacciari

Abstract

This paper explores the philosophical and theological dimensions of human migration and foreignness, situating the discussion within contemporary debates on community and “the common.” Drawing on Massimo Cacciari’s interrogation of the “foreigner” and the hostis-hospes dynamic, the study examines how modern migration challenges traditional conceptions of communal belonging and identity. The analysis traces the evolution of the “common” from Tönnies’ distinction between society and community to post-Nietzschean critiques that emphasize relationality and the inherent presence of the “other.” Through Cacciari’s reading of biblical and classical sources, particularly the figure of the Theós xénos (foreign god) in the Gospel of Matthew, the paper highlights the paradoxical role of the foreigner as both guest and host. The discussion integrates Jewish and Christian scriptural traditions to underscore hospitality, exile, and ethical responsibility towards the stranger, ultimately arguing for a reimagined, inclusive understanding of community in an era of mass displacement.