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March 2010 1Let mutual love continue. 2Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. 3Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured. 4Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers. 5Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have; for he has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” 6So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” Hebrews 13:1-6 Please allow me to more personal than I usually am for this article. I am writing this as a bit of a remembrance of and for my Mother. Helen Catherine (Dillard) Reedy joined the church triumphant on Friday, February 19, 2010. She had attained the age of 94 years, 5 months, and 4 days. If I were to choose one verse from Scripture that would have described her life it would be Hebrews 13:2: “2Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” My Mother no doubt entertained many angels, as she practiced an unusual kind of hospitality. I expect that many of you may have at some time or another brought home a stray animal. I remember well the time in 1965-6 when my Mother returned from a bus trip to Oklahoma with a stray Irishman. Mom had met Tony on the bus. He had flown to New York and was traveling to visit his Uncle in San Diego. When my Father picked up my Mom from the bus station, no uncle had come to claim Tony. Tony was in his twenties by the way. There was no question about what to do. Tony came to our house. We helped him make the connection with his relatives, with whom he stayed for a few days. Then he came back to us for the extent of his time in the US. At the same time we were also host to a young man from Germany whose family we had come to know by virtue of a CARE Package following World War II. Peter was with us for several months. As a result of this hospitality we also played host to Tony’s sister, Joan, on her subsequent visit to the States. My Mother also enjoyed reciprocal hospitality on trips to London and Germany. But that was not something she expected. She opened her house and her heart to any and all comers. Peter still calls her his “American Mother.” She may have entertained angels without knowing it. To turn it the other way around, she entertained many who may not have known what angels they were. The only way to practice such radical hospitality is to “say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?’” Her radical hospitality was an expression of her faith. I remember her and thank her for that example of faith in action. May we all learn to practice such a radical hospitality! I also rejoice that she is now enjoying the glorious hospitality of the Lord who was, is, and always will be her helper. Rest eternal grant her O Lord, and let light perpetual shine upon her. Pastor Bret |