Thursday, September 22, 2016

            It was a random Bible reading, something to which I had flipped open as I did my devotional time.  I have never preached from it, but I wish had, now that I have discovered it. It is Acts 28, verses 1 - 10. There are all sorts of miraculous events in the whole story of Paul’s venture on the Mediterranean Sea –  surviving a dramatic and devastating ship wreck in the middle of a storm on their way to Rome (Ch. 27), Paul’s almost casual indifference to a poisonous snake that bit him while gathering firewood, and finally a healing miracle, too.  All very exciting and theatrical, making for a great and wondrous story.

But it was not the stirring bits that caught my eye this time, but the common touch of human compassion. Paul and his companions had marooned themselves on the island of Malta. Luke writes, “The natives showed us unusual kindness,” (28:2). They built a fire and “welcomed us around it.”  Hot dogs and s’mores for everyone!

This is an interesting twist on the admonition that Christians are the ones who are to be diligent practitioners of compassion, hospitality and kindness towards others. E.g. “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it,” (Hebrews 13:2). But here, it is Paul along with his fellow travellers, some of whom were Christian, who found themselves on the receiving end of a stranger's benevolence, even though the natives were not probably Christians. Later we are told that the “leading man of the island… entertained us hospitably for three days,” (7).  Luke thought it important enough to include these remarks in his diary.

One of our favourite shows in Still Standing (CBC). Host Jonny Harris visits small struggling towns across Canada and using his humour helps celebrate their perseverance, hopes and aspirations. This week he was in Maple Creek, Saskatchewan.  A few years ago the people had to survive a catastrophic, unprecedented flood. One of the buildings that was severely damaged was the historic hotel in the town. The building was slated for demolition, but a band of immigrant Philippinos took over the building and have fully restored it, better than ever. Strangers helping others, even though they didn’t, perhaps, share the same attachments, heritage, culture, religion, as everyone else. They simply cared about their neighbours.

Compassion can always break down barriers between us. Showing kindness can often make enemies into friends. A helping hand is far superior than a closed fist.  Empathy is a conversation starter, leading to understanding and better communication. 

It is hard work being to be unconditionally hospitable. Maybe that is what Luke meant by describing the Malta natives’ hospitality as “unusual”.  The writer of 1 Peter tells us to show hospitality without grumbling and griping (1 Peter 4:9), some advice that I wish a few churchy Christians would heed when pressed to engage the “otherness” of people. If pagans and nonbelievers can do this - and they do, all the time – then we, the Church, need to be more like Paul and pitch in and gather some firewood even if it sometimes bites us.  Or listen to the writer of one of the letters from John: “We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth,” (3 John 1:8).

Work together –  now there’s a concept!

Dale