There’s an old joke you might have heard:

A man and his wife were having an argument 

about who should brew the coffee each morning. 

The wife said, "You should do it, because you get up first, 

and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee." 

The husband said, 

"You are in charge of the cooking around here so you should do it, 

because you’re better at it, 

and I don’t mind waiting for my coffee.”

The Wife replies, 

"No, you should do it, and besides 

it says in the Bible 

that the man should do the coffee." 

The Husband replies, 

"I can't believe that! Show me." 

So she fetched the Bible, 

and opened the New Testament and showed him 

at the top of several pages, 

that it indeed says, 

“HE-BREWS.”

Today’s 2nd reading is from the book of He-brews,

And there’s nothing about coffee in it,

but it reminds us of how we should live as Christians, 

It describes the “conduct of holy life”,

by giving some examples of how love should be lived out,

And how we should help others,

because God is our helper.

Over the years, 

I haven’t preached much at all on texts from Hebrews, 

and I think as a church we often tend to ignore this book. 

Though it has many beautiful and expressive passages, 

it is quite complicated 

and it quotes from Hebrew Scriptures extensively, 

which often breaks up the flow. 

The book’s author is unknown, 

but was someone who had heard the message of Jesus 

from some of the original disciples, 

and he lived in a community of Greek-speaking Jews. 

The structure of the book is more of a sermon than a traditional letter, 

and its audience is a congregation of disheartened followers of Jesus 

for whom the journey of faith has been a struggle.

It still resonates with us today, 

because the life of faith is not easy, 

and though we’re not persecuted, 

(like those early Christians)

trying to follow Jesus with our words and actions 

is not easy.

>>>

(V1)

“Let mutual affection continue!“

We are encouraged to keep loving everyone 

just as God first loved us.

Be kind and caring, always!

Easier said than done, and still a little vague, so it continues:

(V2)

“Show hospitality to strangers - for some have entertained angels 

without knowing it.”

Like the story from earlier in the summer I preached about 

Abraham and Sarah 

who welcomed divine messengers into their tent by the Oaks of Mamre and were reminded of God’s promise of a son in late age. 

Abraham and Sarah were generous and showed hospitality 

to the trio they had just met.

So we are encouraged to be hospitable to strangers.

What does this look like?

For us modern city-dwellers, it seems hard to imagine.

I don’t think any of us 

would welcome a passerby to come into our house.

But those of you who have lived in rural areas, 

or who have ever been in remote locations, 

might have experienced the warmth and friendliness of strangers. 

One evening about 15 years ago, 

I was driving home from a visit in a snowstorm north of Peterborough, when, slightly distracted, I spun out, 

and landed in a snowbank.

Luckily, I wasn’t hurt, 

but in the hour or so it took the tow truck to arrive 

in this remote part of the Kawarthas, 

a stranger, 

A mother, stopped, 

and invited me into her car with her child in the back seat, 

to stay warm while we waited.

While her car idled, we chatted about this and that, 

but I was in too much shock to really process much. 

Eventually, Carey came to rescue me and the woman drove off. 

I didn’t get her name, and didn’t ask her why she did it…

and I sometimes think about this.

I’m grateful to her, my angel, for helping me after my accident.

There was a certain risk for her, 

to stop on a cold, snowy night by the side of the road 

to be a good Samaritan for a stranger, 

… she exemplified the selfless Christian love our author is writing about. 

Have you ever been helped or welcomed by a stranger 

in your hour of need?

Or have you ever helped or welcomed a stranger 

in their hour of need? 

It can be a profound experience, 

where we transcend our normal habits and boundaries, 

and reach out across the chasm with an open hand. 

But at the end of the day, this is the basis of a caring society, 

and a caring church, when we welcome the stranger, 

the immigrant, the person from outside our kinship or friendship circle: Small acts of kindness, like a smile, a greeting, 

or something bigger, like dry shelter in a storm.

(V3) 

Our reading continues:

Remember those in prison as though you were in prison with them.

That is: Put yourself in their shoes!

It’s too easy to forget those in prison,

Whether they’re in actual physical prisons,

Or in regions or countries that function as prisons.

The “forgotten” suffering.

We need to remember all those trapped in horrible places like

North Korea with its Extreme Government Control, 

Lack of Freedoms, Severe Punishments 

and Widespread Poverty and Famine.

While the deplorable human rights conditions in North Korea 

don’t get much media attention,

We hear more about the Gaza Strip — 

with its widespread destruction, mass displacement, 

collapsing services and areas where famine 

has been declared or is imminent. 

We hear about Gaza, 

but it seems most of the world is plugging its ears and closing its eyes to forget the horrors there.

And then there are other places we tend to not want to remember: 

Yemen, Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, The Sahel in Africa, 

where insurgencies and extreme food insecurity are the order of the day.

Remember those who are suffering, 

as though you were suffering with them!

No easy task for sure…

it takes a lot of emotional strength and psychological openness 

to truly acknowledge the suffering of others, 

esp. of those we don’t have a personal connection to.

To really put yourself in their shoes!

I believe some members of our congregation 

have gotten a more personal viewpoint through their work 

with our refugee committee over the years, 

gaining an understanding for the horrors that those in Sudan, 

Eritrea or Syria have experienced,

whether on the street, in refugee camps or in prisons.

Speaking of prisons, 

even though I’ve lived in KW now for almost 8 years, 

I’ve never actually thought about our very own prison in our city: 

The Grand Valley Institution,

I’ve passed it a few times on Homer Watson 

as it’s beside the Ken Seiling Museum, 

but did you know that it is the only federal women's prison in Ontario?

It has a capacity of approximately 130 women.

The main provincial women’s correctional facility is also nearby…

the Vanier Centre in Milton, a jail with a capacity of 330 women, 

including immigrants detained by Canadian Border Services.

I also discovered this week the difference 

between jails and prisons…

do you know the difference?

between jails and prisons?

Jails (or Detention / Remand Centres), 

like the Vanier Centre in Milton, 

are for Short-term holding.

Usually for people serving sentences of less than 2 years,

And also used for people who are waiting for trial or sentencing.

They are run by the provincial or territorial government.

And Conditions are often crowded and less focused on rehabilitation, since people don’t stay long.

Prisons (or Penitentiaries, on the other hand….

like the Grand Valley Institution)

Are for Long-term incarceration,

For people serving sentences of 2 years or more.

They are run by the federal government (Correctional Service Canada).

And are divided into different security levels: 

minimum, medium, and maximum security.

They have more programs for rehabilitation, education, and job training than in jails.

So jails are short-term, and prisons, long-term.

I really haven’t thought much about the people in our local jails and prisons. 

Have you?

I think this is a call to remember them in our prayers. 

Those who are serving time for breaking criminal laws or waiting for trial.

I don’t know if there are any Lutheran chaplains serving in a jail or prison, but an Anglican colleague of mine is a prison chaplain in Quebec.

Locally, St. Andrews’ Memorial Anglican Church on Mill Street 

has a Prison ministry at Grand Valley,

https://www.standrewsmemorial.ca/ministries/prison-ministry

Where once a month they lead a worship service along with

Visitation, pastoral support, and other restorative practices.

Prison ministry is not in my comfort zone, 

and I suspect for most of you as well…

but just because we don’t feel comfortable leading a Bible Study in prison, doesn’t mean we can’t remember them in our prayers.

We are called in our reading this morning to show our love 

through actions:

As a community of faith here at St. Matthews

We show hospitality and welcome to others

By sharing space with community groups,

By opening our doors on Wednesdays to those seeking a quiet noontime hour in the Sanctuary 

or a warm meal in the Fellowship Hall.

Thank you to those who share of your time to welcome the stranger here in this church, but there is always room for more,

We always appreciate help and support for hospitality events here at church, like for funerals, or Sunday Coffee Hour, 

or maybe for imagining new ways of reaching out in welcome.

As individuals, as persons,

we are also challenged to show hospitality 

and welcome to others,

Not just to our closest family, friends and neighbours, 

but maybe to others as well.

Do you have a friend or family member who might be lonely? 

Maybe consider inviting them to a family celebration like Thanksgiving or just for a special occasion. 

Such a gesture could change their lives, 

and spread God’s love in wonderful ways.

>>>

We do this because God first helped us.

And because such words and actions are like

sacrifices which are pleasing to God

(V16)

They are offerings which are presented to God which make God smile.

So, let mutual affection continue!

Continue caring for one another.

Keep nurturing your love and kindness toward each other.

For God loves us so very much

And he says:

I will never leave you or forsake you.

(V6)

*Hymn of the Day 712 “Lord, Whose Love in Humble Service”

—-

Sources:

https://www.beliefnet.com/entertainment/jokes/christian/w/who-should-make-the-coffee.aspx

ChatGPT queries on prisons, jails

Westminister Study Bible: Hebrews.