Entertaining Angels Extended Remix

Hebrews 13:1-8, 15-16
Second Reading for the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost (Year C) 

[Note: The following is basically a stream of conscious extension of the passage as it appears in the Contemporary English translation. It shouldn't be misinterpreted as scripture, but it is just a meditation on the passage.] 

Keep loving each other like family. Do not neglect to open your homes to guests, because by doing this some have been hosts to angels without knowing it. Angels. Messengers. Those who will show us the things of the Kingdom.

Remember prisoners as if you were in prison with them.
Remember refugees as if you fled a war-torn country by their side.
Remember the oppressed as if you have felt the sting of hatred that has pierced their very souls.
Remember those who are mistreated as if you were in their place.

Marriage must be honored in every respect. It is to be something that is cherished and loved. It is something that you choose every single day. Do not neglect your promises. A marriage is about more than just sexual fidelity. It is about being united in love, about carrying one another. Be committed to each other in every way.

Your way of life should be free from the love of money. The car, the vacation, the house, the giant TV won't ever be enough. There will always be more money, a nicer car, a more exotic vacation, a bigger house, a ridiculously more humongous TV. Don't chase those things like a dog chases its tale. Be content with what you have.

Jesus said, "I will never leave you or abandon you." He will never leave us. He is by our side. He is God with us. He will never abandon us. Never. Never ever ever ever ever ever ever and ever. Amen. We can say that the Lord is our helper. God! God is our helper and if God is our helper than what on earth do we have to fear? What can people do to you? Nothing. Absolutely nothing that will completely destroy you. Nothing.

Remember those who have spoken God's word to you. Imitate their faith. Learn from their faith. Yet make that faith your own. I diverge from the script here, but do not try to be that leader. Yes, have their faith for Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. But God does not want another carbon copy of that leader. God wants you, with your talents, abilities, and passions. God wants your questions and quirks. Remember. Imitate. Learn. Own the gift given to you.

So let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise through Jesus. Let us sing and dance and laugh and celebrate that which God has done for us. Let us be full of gratitude to God for all of this and more than we could name if we had a million years.

Don't forget to do good. May your gratitude to God be expressed in the overflow of the goodness given to you. Share what you have. God loves it when we do that. God, who gives so freely, wants the people of God to give freely. Do not forget to do good. The world needs people who do good now more than ever.

Do not forget to do good. For the messengers, prisoners, refugees, the oppressed, the mistreated. For our families. For our well-being. For those that have gone before us. For the love of God. Do not forget to do good. Amen.