"Just In Case"

Sermon given at the Chapel of the Apostles, The School of Theology, Sewanee, Tennessee

Monday, February 15, 2016

Lectionary Text: Matthew 25:31–46

The Benedictines are known for practicing what has become known as “radical hospitality.”  

According to the Rule, when a stranger arrives at the door, they are to be welcomed in the name of Christ.  They are to be cared for until they depart and no compensation is to be required.

There is an old story of a man who crossed the desert alone. After days of travel, when his body was weak, his mouth parched, and his spirit broken, he happened upon an old monastery.

Exhausted, he knocked at the entrance. The dust which had coated his clothing, and hair, and filled his mouth and nostrils, billowed with each rap of his knuckles against the gate, stinging his eyes already scorched by the mid-day sun.The door opened. He lifted his gaze and there before him stood an elderly monk. His black robe faded in the sun, his brow furrowed with years of wisdom.

He said nothing, but took the poor man by the arm and lead him to a small table. At the well in the courtyard, he drew water. Some he placed before the man in a cup, the rest he used to wash his feet, and hands, and face, soothing his skin and cooling his palate. Without making a sound, the old monk left the courtyard and made his way down the corridor. When he returned, he held a clean cloak. With outstretched arms he gave it to the man. The stranger said thank you and began to ask a question, but the monk simply ignored him. Instead he continued his work in silence. He exited to another room in the abbey and a few moments later, he returned placing a bowl of hot soup and piece of bread before the man.

In stunned gratitude, the stranger sat in silence the steam from the bowl rose to fill his nostrils with with the stimulating scent of the simple soup. As the monk turned to leave the man alone with his meal, he turned to the stranger and said, “I welcome you as Christ, just in case.”

Then they also will answer,

“Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry or thirsty

or a stranger or naked

or sick or in prison,

and did not take care of you?”

Then he will answer them,

“Truly I tell you,

just as you did not do it to one of the least of these,

you did not do it to me.”

“Radical Hospitality” is only radical because, unfortunately its practice is not common at all.  In the story we hear in today’s Gospel, Jesus makes no demands on the “least of these,” neither does he say it will be someone we do not know. In fact, Jesus makes the character’s in his story extremely personal. “I was thirsty” he says. Often times the one in need could be someone we know very well, and may even change over time.

As we have been hearing, Lent is a time to slow down and make self examination. I want us to examine where these people are in our lives.

May God open our hearts and our eyes to see them wherever they may be. And when we see them, let us welcome them as Christ, just in case.