A Sermon by Rev. Brenda Faust, based on Gensis 18:1-15
Welcome back! I hope everyone had a good summer, rest, adventures, family times, growth, and encounter with the sacred.
We begin a new curriculum and worship program this year, called Bible Quest. Over a four-year timeframe, we will explore four over arching themes of the bible: Incarnation, covenant, liberation and Justice, and salvation. We enter the cycle in year three: Liberation and Justice.
We will work our way through stories of the Old and New Testament, exploring the questions and dilemmas of justice. The stories will inform us, and each of us will interpret what the gospel is saying to us. Through the stories we will create a space in which we will hear God’s voice & celebrate God’s presence in the midst of joy and the sorrow, the hope and the despair, the grief and the celebration of living in this world.
I know some of you think I am much too social justice oriented, and
I admit that it is my passion. However, this is not the focus of
thew curriculum, nor will it be mine. I hope that with open mind
and heart we will let the stories speak for themselves, and discern what
is God’s justice.
When I ordered the material, I wondered where we would begin. I was pleasantly surprised. We begin with an Old Testament story of hospitality. In the Epistle to the Hebrews 13:2 the writer states: “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.”
This echoes a long tradition of hospitality that went deeper than social etiquette. In the Middle East of the Old Testament, hospitality related to the harsh environment: lack of water and high temperatures made the practice (or absence) of hospitality a life or death matter. In the New Testament, also, Jesus depended upon the hospitality of others to spread his ministry, and Paul and the other apostles/disciples relied on others as they spread the gospel message.
This summer, while staying on a grain farm in northern Alberta, I saw the hospitality of farmers for one another. Tables were always prepared for the visitor. The coffee pot was always full. In their hospitality, they also shared news of the crops, who needed help, weather conditions, etc.
In the story of Abraham and Sarah, we discover the way of hospitality
“In the heat of the day…” the story begins….three strangers wander across the desert and find themselves in front of Abraham’s tent. Abraham sees the strangers, rushes to greet them, begs them to rest, and wash their tired feet; he offers shade for their heads, provides a quick refreshment, and then plans a feast. Abraham responded to a need. We don’t know how he felt about that, but he responded. Moreover, he did so graciously.
In our society, we take less time to welcome others into our homes and churches. Hospitality has become a major industry (connected with travel, hotels, and restaurants). We expect to pay for what we get, including courteous hospitality. Yet into our lives come moments of unexpected hospitality, a gift from God.
Story: While camping this summer, I met a woman at a beach. We started chatting about children, school, and summer. She had a bag of dried fish, and offered me a piece. As I ate, she instructed me on how to get the most out of the piece. Happy, I enjoyed her gift. In return, she gave me the bag of fish. "I like to share" she said, "it’s what I do".
Gracious hospitality is a spiritual practice. Abraham responded to a need. God had been gracious to him and in return he was gracious to others.
I was blessed this summer to experience the hospitality of the north and of the prairies, of family, friends and strangers. Hospitality is a blessing to us.
Story: I met two men hiking, and shared my sandwich and carrots with them ? one of the men was a friend of Dave Elliot ? I share the story of Dave’s death and a conversation about graciousness and courage ensued.
By our responses, we can provide a balm of hospitality to those in need.
Story: A couple came to the farm begging feed for their cattle.
A balm of hospitality.
Hospitality is one aspect of God’s justice, as we welcome strangers, refugees, and the dispossessed. These could be members of our own families in the world around us.
One member of our church described our church as an oasis in the demands of life. An oasis. A balm of hospitality in the generous sense of God’s plan.
I hope my reflections have stirred memories of hospitality given and received this summer.
May each of us, and our church, be a balm of hospitality to ourselves and to the world around us.
Amen.