In today’s first reading, Hebrews 13: 1-8, St. Paul
admonishes us to allow “love [to] continue, to “not neglect hospitality, for
through it some have unknowingly entertained angels. Be mindful of prisoners,”
Paul says to us, “as if sharing their imprisonment, and of the ill-treated as of
yourselves, for you also are in the body,” awaiting redemption, as they
are. “Let your life,” he challenges, “be
free from love of money but be content with what you have,” for God “will never forsake you or abandon you”.
How fitting for our times, as millions of people seek
hospitality, as they flee for their lives and the safety of their children and as
they seek refuge in countries not ravaged by war-filled violence of undue
proportions. Millions of people are
being ill-treated around the world, including in our own country. More and more people within and outside of
the U.S. face difficult times, as one
nation after another threatens the other with dire consequences if they make
choices that threaten the security of us all.
With hatred peppering the speeches of world leaders and threats being
hurled toward anyone who challenges leaders from pushing forth their personal agendas, it is likely that hard times lull in our futures. Paul invites
us to “[r]emember your leaders who spoke
the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate
their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever.”
No comments:
Post a Comment