The Scripture Readings this week are:
- Genesis 18:1-8
- Matthew 10:40-42
The Sermon title is Welcome!
Early Thoughts: Many centuries ago the writer of Hebrews wrote these words: Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2). Near the end of the last century I read a book called Practicing Our Faith which outlines 12 practices, or habits, or ways of being, that are key parts of living out our faith (and as I type this I am wondering if I should give that book another read -- maybe a study group potential?) and one of those practices is hospitality. While I was looking through my bookshelves this morning I came across another book, Hospitality, the Sacred Art. It has chapters like "Hospitality as Transformation", "Hospitality to Family: Offering Full Presence to Those Closest to Us", Hospitality to Strangers: Pursuing Kinship Rather Than Estrangement", and "Hospitality to Enemies: Extending Generosity through Non-Retaliation". In my browsing around I even found a blog post I wrote on hospitality 13 years ago.
Which is a bit of a long winded way to affirm that I think that hospitality is really important in our life together. This week's passages reaffirm that hospitality is one of those things commanded, commended, and modeled in our Scripture story.
Abraham sees three strangers coming by his tent and immediately makes them feel welcome. I have always thought that this story is one that the writer of Hebrews had in his head for the verse quoted above. At any rate Abraham knows that in the wilderness one needs to welcome the stranger. It is a matter not only of good manners but of survival. Those who are not welcomed and supported in the wilderness may find themselves in mortal peril.
In these few verses from Matthew's gospel Jesus commends the acts of hospitality, even a simple act like offering a cup of cold water. These verse come at the end of Jesus' discourse to the apostles as he prepares to send them out to teach and heal and preach. He has warned them that they will not always be welcomed. He has warned them that the message they carry might cause dissension. And then he tells them to recognize what has happened when they are indeed welcomed. Later in Matthew's gospel Jesus will tell a parable about sheep and goats and includes the line "whatever you did for the least of these [siblings] of mine you did for me". That parable itself contains multiple references to acts of hospitality.
When we decided to be an Affirming Ministry we were making a decision about how we practice hospitality. We made a commitment to be a place where folk are welcomed and supported as they wander through the wilderness parts of their lives (and as they wander through the less-wild {more civilized?} parts of their lives). Hopefully we will live that welcome out in big and in small ways. And hopefully we will continue to offer hospitality based on need and presence, not on membership in a community. Some groups only welcome those who belong or who fit the 'right' criteria. Some places have signs on their doors saying things like "washrooms for customers only". Jesus invites, commands, challenges us to practice a far more radical form of hospitality. We have committed to do so. How will we live into that commitment?
--Gord
PS: It occurs to me as I type this that this Saturday, the day before we will hear these passages read in worship the Canada Day parade will pass by our doorstep. And there are folks who will be handing out freezies and water, who will have the door open for people who need to use the washroom or possibly need to step in out of the sun for a moment. We already know how to live out radical hospitality.
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