Sometimes, when I’m gloomy over the insensitivity and selfishness of This Time, I find relief in reading Biblical accounts or oracles addressed to the same old brokenness in People Long Ago. This weekend’s assigned readings speak of hospitality, of welcoming the stranger and others “not like us”. These are stories worth retelling, for they’re part of our formative ethic. How do I live faithfully to God-in-the-Present even though such stories seem now to be less-known and less-respected?
Our veddy British tour director announced that our morning in London would begin at Buckingham Palace to observe the Changing of the Guard. Because she was veddy British (and because my hearing is poor), I thought she said, “the Changing of the GOD”! Now THERE’S a thought! Jeremiah spoke about this (2:4-13)–“Has a nation changed its gods, even though they are no gods?” The Promised Land has been defiled, the eternal glory of YHWH has been toppled by a quest for fleeting fame and uncertain prosperity. The springs of Living Water have been abandoned for leaky reservoirs.
The Letter to the Hebrews is chock-full of Household Hints for the Diligent Disciple. Chapter 13 (vv.1-8) spells these pretty specifically: extend hospitality to strangers (some may be angels); resonate with prisoners and those being tortured; honor your partner; don’t love money & things; be happy with what you have. Moreover, remember those who’ve spiritually mentored you, and imitate how they lived out their faith in Jesus. Finally, “do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (v.16)
Luke’s narrative in Chapter 14:7-14 gives opportunity for Jesus to address humble politeness. At a formal dinner, he says, don’t grab the seats nearest the floor show; someone REALLY important may come along and you’ll be displaced to the back row! But if you modestly hang back, the host may let you cut in the buffet line before some others… (Besides, the head table is usually boring.) When it’s your turn to host a dinner, load up your guest-list with the poor and afflicted. Look for no return invites, but be glad to share what you have! Hospitality for the sake of social advancement isn’t really hospitality: Who Ya Gonna Call?
Sally A. Brown gives eloquent words of conclusion: “Shaped by [secular] stories, our lives no longer bear the distinguishing Christian markers of profound trust in God and generosity toward neighbor and stranger in Christ’s name…. Only when we align our choices, individually and corporately, with the concerns of God in the world will our lives make sense and make a difference.” (FEASTING on the WORD, C 4:5 &7)
God Bless Us, Every One Horace Brown King
My thoughts about scripture lections for the upcoming weekend can be found every Tuesday at this spot on Facebook, or at horacebrownking.com
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