Skip to main content

Practicing hospitality

Offering hospitality to a stranger was and remains an important part of many Eastern cultures. So when we read the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ ministry, it’s not surprising that many of his interactions and much of his teaching happens around the meal table. Who you ate with and who you welcomed to your table were key indications of your social status.

The reading this week from Hebrews 13 suggests that when we show hospitality to strangers we may be entertaining angels without being aware of it, a likely reference to the story in Genesis where Abraham cares for the needs of three passing strangers, as captured in this famous icon originally written by Rublev. In the icon, it is the three persons of the Trinity who offer hospitality to Abraham, symbolized in the chalice of Communion.

Jesus suggests that when we have a luncheon or dinner, we have the opportunity to invite people beyond our circle of friends and family – the poor, crippled and blind – who cannot repay us. In this way we reflect the hospitality and welcome of God, which is offered freely to everybody. How open and inclusive is our hospitality – as individuals, as a community and as a nation? How might we enhance this vital ministry?

From the Minister, , ,

Getting the Sabbath balance right

The Sabbath day is a most holy day for Jewish people. It is the day that God rested after finishing creation (Genesis 2:2-3). It is a day of rest instituted in the Ten Commandments when people were to remember the mighty deeds of God (Deut 5:12-15). And it was a day that consistently saw Jesus in trouble with the authorities for having the audacity to engage in ‘work’.

Jesus undoubtedly viewed the Sabbath as a day of worship, because his practice was to attend synagogue (church) on that day. But he also viewed the day as an opportunity to bring healing and wholeness to people, a day to celebrate and enhance life, as recounted in this week’s Gospel story in Luke 13:10-17, where he frees a crippled woman from her affliction.

How do we view and utilise the gift of a Sabbath day? Do we take a day of rest to refresh our bodies, minds and spirits and remind ourselves that the world will keep going without our input? Do we take a day to immerse ourselves in creation or spend the day with those we love? And do we also do what is needed on this day to bring healing, wholeness and justice in our world?

From the Minister,

Following Jesus, the beginning and end of our faith

The life of faith is often compared to a journey or walk through life. In this week’s reading from the book of Hebrews, it is compared instead to a race that has been set before us. The metaphor of a race is interesting because when we think of races, we tend to think in terms of speed and winners and losers.

But this race is different. The beginning and end point of this life race is Jesus. He is to be our inspiration and pattern, and also the goal we are aiming for (both in the development of our character and in relationship). The focus of this race is on perseverance and the need to keep going even if we stumble or trip. It’s not a solo race, but rather one engaged in with others, including the cloud of witnesses who have run this race before us and from whom we can learn.

The author then gently reminds us that in his race, Jesus endured the shame of the cross for the sake of the joy set before him. If we are to fix our eyes on Jesus, then, we need to be prepared to run our race with perseverance, with courage and with joy, whatever lies before us.

From the Minister,

Remembering the good work of Uniting

This week is Homelessness Week when we are encouraged to remember people experiencing homelessness, the issues they face and the action needed to achieve enduring solutions (especially secure housing). Homelessness Week came about from various churches and missions running winter vigils to remember people who had died on the streets. These vigils were normally held in August as it is the coldest time of the year and when most people were likely to be overcome by the elements.

This Sunday is also Share Sunday, the day on which we remember and support the many ministries of Uniting, the community services arm of the Uniting Church. In our neighbourhood, Uniting Connections at Croydon work with struggling families while Uniting Wesley in Ringwood help homeless people find temporary accommodation. Closer to home, Uniting Harrison provide long-term affordable independent living units at Gifford Village, the home of Croydon North Uniting Church, while Helping Hand at Croydon provide emergency food relief.

Supporting the work of these agencies is one way that we help build God’s kingdom in our midst and show our compassion for the poor and vulnerable.

From the Minister,

Which of greed and generosity rules more of your life?

In this week’s Gospel text, a farmer responds to an abundant crop by building extra storage to house his bumper harvest. Isn’t this just what Joseph did in Genesis to avert the ravages of drought? Isn’t it sensible farming practice, given the vagaries of weather and seasons?

As is typical in parables, though, Jesus takes the story in a rather different direction. He highlights the selfishness of the farmer who is thinking only of his own needs and comfortable lifestyle. According to Jesus, such a person is a fool because they are ignoring the ways of God – which include caring for the needs of our neighbours and the poor.

We are immersed in a culture that every day encourages us to hold similar values to the farmer – to chill out, eat, drink and be merry – and ignore the needs of others. We’re tempted to think we are only just getting by – a mindset of scarcity – when in historical and global terms we are living in abundant luxury. The antidote to a greedy lifestyle is to live generously towards others – whether with our money, our time, our hospitality or our compassion. How may God be calling us to bring generous blessing to our neighbours? What will this cost us?

From the Minister, ,