WHY THE STRANGER?
Advent Message on the Fence
“Welcome the Stranger”
In the Bible there are several words to define this person: 1) Greek – Allotrios; stranger; 2) Hebrew – nokri; Greek xenos: a person on a journey who enjoyed no rights except hospitality; 3) Hebrew – Ger; Greek – Paroikos: a resident alien or immigrant. These are all words we use today to describe someone from another place; someone who disturbs our own status quo; someone we might fear; someone who brings a miraculous gift; or someone who needs to be welcomed as a person but with no expectation of payment in return.
The Bible offers wonderful stories of how others enter our lives and reorient us.
1) The three visitors to Abraham and Sarah: Abraham and Sarah had left Ur, and now lived in the desert near Hebron. Abraham noticed three visitors passing by and, insisted they honor him by accepting a meal and rest from the sun. Expecting nothing in return for this typical Middle Eastern Hospitality, the Strangers gave them this promise: “Next year you will have a son.” (Genesis 18:1-8)
2) The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and the person in the ditch are singled out as a relationship to be imitated. “The one who showed mercy.” The Samaritan Jews worshiped differently and on a different mountain, Mount Ebal instead of Mt. Zion, Jerusalem. They were looked upon as incorrect believers. Yet, the Samaritan is held up to the lawyer and all who were listening as the one who practiced virtue, who was like God is with us. Those on the way to Jerusalem to fulfill their religious obligations passed by.
In this Advent Christmas Season, we will meet many other strangers. They are called Gentiles (the people of the Nations), Jews, or not described at all—shepherds who were thought of as ruffians but who looked up and saw the Star.
3) The Astrologers from the East remain mysterious. They came looking for a King because of the Star. King Herod, part of the government of the Roman Empire, was not who they wanted. This King was Newborn and was to be King of the Jews, not of the Roman Empire. The Good News is jarring to all which seems settled, and like the astrologers, sets us off on a different road home.
4) At the last judgment, how we welcome the Stranger – or not – is one of the questions we will be asked. Matt. 25:31-46.
5) Ephesians 2:19-22 reminds the community in Ephesus, Turkey, they were once strangers and aliens. But faith in Jesus has made them citizens of the reign of God. “So, you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God . . . You too are being built spiritually into a dwelling place for God. “
Together, we enter this Season with rightful trepidation (fear of the Lord) and expectation. May our desire for the presence of extravagant Love guide our seeing and our peace and our mercy.
Jennifer Corbett, osf
November 27, 2024: Fence Constructors: S. Joyce Stemper, S. Martha Mathew, Sally Burns, S. Dawn Nothwehr, S. Ramona Miller, S. Jennifer Corbett, Mike Burns, S. Marlys Jax, S. Mary Eliot Crowley. S. Char Hesby in the car!
