Hebrews 13:1-7, 15-16; August 27-September 3, Year C:

For the most part, this passage consists of general exhortations--a common method of concluding New Testament epistles. Most of these do not strike us as particularly controversial; but they do take on additional meaning when we remember the context in which they were written. These Hebrew Christians were encouraged to show brotherly love and to extend hospitality even to strangers. This was quite a lot for these people to take in. For one thing, most of these were Jewish converts to Christianity who were not used to being friendly to Gentiles. For another, showing hospitality, especially to fellow Christians, could be a matter of risking one's life or livelihood. The Christians, it must be remembered, were often persecuted--and for nothing other than worshipping Jesus Christ. Most of us are not inhospitable to anybody; but sometimes, we get so caught up in our own schedules or personal concerns that we forget that by showing hospitality to strangers, we could be "entertaining angels unawares"--a clear reference to the Old Testament story of Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 18. The writer then reminds these Christians to remember those who are in prison or ill-treated, an obvious reference to those who are being imprisoned for their faith, since he goes on to say that "you also are in the body." I wonder if most of us pay enough attention to the plight of the persecuted church around the world. The writer goes on to speak of such vices as sexual immorality and the love of money. We sometimes do not like to remember that the early church, though very conscious of God's grace, was also very conscious of the other aspects of God's character. They knew that no sin was acceptable to God. These Christians were urged to remember that God was their Provider and their Teacher. Scriptures are quoted to remind them of their heritage in God. This was a powerful way to affirm the communal nature of Christianity, pulling together the truth from every culture and generation. The most precious sacrifice to God may well be the sacrifice of praise and the willingness to do good, in the name of Jesus Christ.