Good morning sisters and brothers,
Paul shares his plans for the future with his readers in Rome. He about his upcoming trip to Jerusalem to deliver a contribution from many of the churches he has founded. He has talked about this collection in many of his letters. Here he explains it as a natural that the gentile churches who have come to share in the spiritual gifts of the Christians of Jerusalem would want to share their material blessings. What he means is that, in Christ, gentiles have become part of the people of God, which previously was only possible for Jews. Earlier in Romans Paul used the image of gentiles being grafted into the root of Abraham. In other words, we gentiles ought to be grateful to God for making us a part of his people, and we should be generous to the original people of God who have welcomed us in.
Welcoming gentiles wasn't always easy or favored among Jewish Christians. If we look back to Acts, the first church council was held to decide this very question. While Acts makes hospitality to gentile believers seem like a settled question, we can see in Paul's letters that the place of gentiles and the role of Jewish law and tradition in the Christian life were still very much in dispute. With this tension surrounding his ministry to the gentiles, the collection from gentile Christians for the poor, Jewish Christians in Jerusalem was an important ministry. That's why Paul asks for the Roman Christians prayer for his acceptance by the Christians in Jerusalem and for God's protection from the Jewish leaders who opposed Christianity. As it turns out, Jerusalem is where Paul is arrested for the last time.
God bless,
Sam
Romans 15:25-33
25At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem in a ministry to the saints; 26for Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to share their resources with the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. 27They were pleased to do this, and indeed they owe it to them; for if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material things. 28So, when I have completed this, and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will set out by way of you to Spain; 29and I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.
30I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in earnest prayer to God on my behalf, 31that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my ministry to Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, 32so that by God’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed in your company. 33The God of peace be with all of you. Amen.
Showing posts with label hospitality. Show all posts
Showing posts with label hospitality. Show all posts
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Sunday, August 29, 2010
repent and invite
Good morning sisters and brothers,
As you go about this coming week, please keep those of us heading to New Orleans in your prayers as well as the Gulf coast as we remember the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Our reading from Jeremiah criticizes Israel for not listening to God's rebuke. Israel's sin would have been a problem on its own, but to that they added the fault of silencing the prophets God sent to warn them. When Jeremiah predicts that Egypt will shame Israel that's a reference to a group of leaders in Israel who sought protection in an alliance with Egypt. Jeremiah warns that this attempt is doomed; protection is found in God, not in Egypt.
Our reading from Luke is an interesting reflection on social custom. In particular the instruction not to invite friends when you give a dinner is challenging. How can we widen our community to include more people and more kinds of people? What blessings will we find when we do?
God bless,
Sam
Jeremiah 2:29-37
29Why do you complain against me? You have all rebelled against me, says the Lord. 30In vain I have struck down your children; they accepted no correction. Your own sword devoured your prophets like a ravening lion. 31And you, O generation, behold the word of the Lord! Have I been a wilderness to Israel, or a land of thick darkness? Why then do my people say, “We are free, we will come to you no more”? 32Can a girl forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number. 33How well you direct your course to seek lovers! So that even to wicked women you have taught your ways.
34Also on your skirts is found the lifeblood of the innocent poor, though you did not catch them breaking in. Yet in spite of all these things 35you say, “I am innocent; surely his anger has turned from me.” Now I am bringing you to judgment for saying, “I have not sinned.” 36How lightly you gad about, changing your ways! You shall be put to shame by Egypt as you were put to shame by Assyria. 37From there also you will come away with your hands on your head; for the Lord has rejected those in whom you trust, and you will not prosper through them.
*Sunday Luke 14:1, 7-14
1On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.
7When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. 8"When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; 9and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, 'Give this person your place', and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. 10But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
12He said also to the one who had invited him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
As you go about this coming week, please keep those of us heading to New Orleans in your prayers as well as the Gulf coast as we remember the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Our reading from Jeremiah criticizes Israel for not listening to God's rebuke. Israel's sin would have been a problem on its own, but to that they added the fault of silencing the prophets God sent to warn them. When Jeremiah predicts that Egypt will shame Israel that's a reference to a group of leaders in Israel who sought protection in an alliance with Egypt. Jeremiah warns that this attempt is doomed; protection is found in God, not in Egypt.
Our reading from Luke is an interesting reflection on social custom. In particular the instruction not to invite friends when you give a dinner is challenging. How can we widen our community to include more people and more kinds of people? What blessings will we find when we do?
God bless,
Sam
Jeremiah 2:29-37
29Why do you complain against me? You have all rebelled against me, says the Lord. 30In vain I have struck down your children; they accepted no correction. Your own sword devoured your prophets like a ravening lion. 31And you, O generation, behold the word of the Lord! Have I been a wilderness to Israel, or a land of thick darkness? Why then do my people say, “We are free, we will come to you no more”? 32Can a girl forget her ornaments, or a bride her attire? Yet my people have forgotten me, days without number. 33How well you direct your course to seek lovers! So that even to wicked women you have taught your ways.
34Also on your skirts is found the lifeblood of the innocent poor, though you did not catch them breaking in. Yet in spite of all these things 35you say, “I am innocent; surely his anger has turned from me.” Now I am bringing you to judgment for saying, “I have not sinned.” 36How lightly you gad about, changing your ways! You shall be put to shame by Egypt as you were put to shame by Assyria. 37From there also you will come away with your hands on your head; for the Lord has rejected those in whom you trust, and you will not prosper through them.
*Sunday Luke 14:1, 7-14
1On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.
7When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. 8"When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; 9and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, 'Give this person your place', and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. 10But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
12He said also to the one who had invited him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
Thursday, August 19, 2010
encouragement and challenge
Good morning brothers and sisters,
Today our author moves towards the end of his letter with various pieces of encouragement for the flock. He encourages values like hospitality, love, fidelity, and contentment, grounding most of these virtues in scripture. The most challenging piece here for me is remembering those in prison. Paul, this author and Jesus all say that Christians should visit people who are in prison, but apart from ambulance calls I never go inside a prison. Here, the author encourages his readers to remember those in prison as if you were in prison with them. That wasn't a stretch for Christians in those times since many people were imprisoned for their faith. Paul is said to have written several of his letters from prison, as have important Christian leaders down to the present including Dietrich Bonhoeffer during Nazi rule and Martin Luther King Jr. in our own country. Prison and persecution are still a reality for many Christians in other parts of the world, but we are generally shielded from such things here. This passage challenges us never to forget those who suffer for their faith or for other reasons.
Our passage ends with the reminder that Jesus is always the same, in other words, we can count on him. It fits right in with the knowledge that God will never leave us and that "The Lord is our keeper. What can anyone do to us?" We are never alone in our calling; God is with us and God calls us forward today.
Blessings,
Sam
Hebrews 13:1-8
Let mutual love continue. 2Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. 3Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. 4Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. 5Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” 6So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” 7Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Today our author moves towards the end of his letter with various pieces of encouragement for the flock. He encourages values like hospitality, love, fidelity, and contentment, grounding most of these virtues in scripture. The most challenging piece here for me is remembering those in prison. Paul, this author and Jesus all say that Christians should visit people who are in prison, but apart from ambulance calls I never go inside a prison. Here, the author encourages his readers to remember those in prison as if you were in prison with them. That wasn't a stretch for Christians in those times since many people were imprisoned for their faith. Paul is said to have written several of his letters from prison, as have important Christian leaders down to the present including Dietrich Bonhoeffer during Nazi rule and Martin Luther King Jr. in our own country. Prison and persecution are still a reality for many Christians in other parts of the world, but we are generally shielded from such things here. This passage challenges us never to forget those who suffer for their faith or for other reasons.
Our passage ends with the reminder that Jesus is always the same, in other words, we can count on him. It fits right in with the knowledge that God will never leave us and that "The Lord is our keeper. What can anyone do to us?" We are never alone in our calling; God is with us and God calls us forward today.
Blessings,
Sam
Hebrews 13:1-8
Let mutual love continue. 2Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. 3Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. 4Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. 5Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” 6So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” 7Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
