Day 10: Entertain
Call Samson,
and let him entertain us. [Judges 16.25]
My day began at
5am when I woke up wide-awake.
Silas was less
than entertained when the lights went on and the coffee maker started before
the sun made its appearance.
But today, as
it soon approaches its 23rd hour, was a good day.
From my sexton
and me singing “Blue Christmas” to the retelling of a Flip Wilson stewardship
joke, there was a lot entertaining that happened today.
Also, today was
my church’s 2nd annual congregation appreciation luncheon. The staff
of FPC Lincoln threw together some soup, salads, and desserts as a way of
saying ‘thanks’ to the congregation for all their hard work and efforts they
put in during this last year.
A good 40
people came out and 5 left with door prizes. The most entertaining prize was a
turkey hat. Yup, a turkey hat.
About ½ way
through our gather and in between parishioners, in walked a stranger.
Her name was
Michelle. She was new to town and some how found her way to our church. She had
what appeared to be a hospital bracelet but I couldn’t tell for sure. Michelle
was sweet and very outgoing. She had a firm handshake and offered a smile when
she introduced herself.
After a bowl of
potato soup and a plate of fruit salad, she helped herself to a dessert and
asked about our church services. I gave her my card, a typical pastor thing to
do, and said “We’d love to see you back!” This too being another typical pastor
thing to do.
She smiled and
said she’d like to come back.
Then she left.
There is
nothing profound with this encounter. The fine folks of First Church are great
at welcoming folks to the table. So their hospitality wasn’t anything new.
What did get me
thinking was the courage this young woman had to muster up to come in and eat
with a group full of strangers. How she knew we were having lunch at our
church, I have no idea. Yet, not knowing anybody did not stop her from coming
in and sitting at table with us. Though she was quiet, Michelle felt
comfortable enough to tell a part of her story:
knew in town but didn’t really know anyone.
St. Benedict
once said, “Let all guests who arrive be received like Christ, for He is
going to say, "I came as a guest, and you received Me" (Matt.
25:35). And to all let due honor be shown, especially to the domestics of the
faith and to pilgrims… In
the salutation of all guests, whether arriving or departing, let all humility
be shown. Let the head be bowed or the whole body prostrated on the ground in
adoration of Christ, who indeed is received in their persons.”
I hope Michelle
was entertained. I hope she felt known. I hope she experienced a glimpse of
Love. I hope she felt she could be herself.
Today, as
Samson entertained, and as I told corny food jokes [see what I did there], I
learned what was meant when the writer of Hebrews said, “2Do not
neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have
entertained angels without knowing it.”
This Advent,
may you make space to entertain not only the guests you know but the strangers
you meet along way as well.
[Below is the Flip Wilson joke I references above. The quality is poor but the content is hilarious and clean. Hope you find it as entertaining as I did.]
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