Sermonette: Sept. 2, 2019

As I reflected on Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16, one of our assigned readings for Sunday, Sept. 1, I noticed that the writer of this letter (or sermon?) was nearing the end of the message. It’s no secret that last words have real power, so it was often the case in this type of communication for a writer (or speaker) to begin exhorting the readers (hearers) to live in the proper ways in response to what was written (spoken) earlier in the message.

The writer of Hebrews is no different. The author exhorted, urged, charged the listeners to a style of life together that would embody the faith that they proclaimed. This way of living together was centered in mutual love that continued to build up the body. It was out of that experience of loving and being loved that Christians found the power to love beyond their community. “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

I was particularly struck by verses 1 and 2 of Hebrews 13: “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” The practice of Middle-Eastern hospitality was lifted to a new level by remembering when Abraham welcomed strangers at the Oak of Mamre (Genesis 18:1-15) and discovered that he was welcoming angels.

Drawing on this ancient story, followers of Christ were urged to always welcome strangers because they might well be entertaining angels without knowing it. Followers of Jesus were also urged to fulfill the commandment of loving your neighbor as yourself by trying to place themselves in the other person's situation. Particularly they were to think of prisoners and those being tortured as if it were happening for them.

Of course, I wondered how we, as followers of Christ, might respond to the current refugee crisis in our world. Welcome strangers. Love one another. Hmm...

At the same time, I noticed that this same manner of identifying with the other and allowing that concern for the other to shape one’s actions led the author to affirm the sacredness of the covenant of marriage. In a community of mutual love, it was important to honor the commitments that people had within the community and not allow harmful impulses to destroy the bonds of trust that were essential. This is something I have said in nearly every wedding in which I have officiated. It’s nice to be affirmed every once in a while.

And, also, I noticed that the author issued a warning against the love of money. Clearly the problem of wealth becoming a major factor that divides the community of faith is something that has been true from the beginning. It seems clear to me, also, that the same instructions could be of great value to any community seriously attempting to follow Christ as they seek to embody the way of Christ who “is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Glory be to God!