The Lectionary

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On any given Sunday some huge proportion of the world's Christians are hearing the same bible readings in church. There's a three year course of readings which are called The Lectionary. There's a Catholic one, Episcopalian one and The New Common Lectionary which the Methodists and the Presbyterians use. Take all this with a grain of salt, I'm about 94% sure this is all true so far.

There are always four readings chosen, one from each of these different sections of the Christian bible:
Old Testament
Psalm
New Testament
Gospel

Over the course of the three years you hear just about the whole bible. And in each year-A, B & C a different synoptic gospel (Matthew, Mark & Luke) are featured. So you go through the whole gospel in a year. And John gets thrown in liberally throughout.

So last Sunday was a reading from Matthew:

"...for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.'

Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, `Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me..."

Tonight I was reading this post at change.org.

"I am grateful for people like you who care about the issue of homelessness. It was someone just like you that supported the organization that helped me get off the streets. It was someone just like you that clothed me and fed me until I was able to fend for myself. It was someone just like you that gave me a chance to dream again and a chance to become a normal, housed person again."

Same problem, 1000s of years later.

The passage below from Hebrews was first brought to my attention in an incredible ensemble drama of short monologues called "In the West". It was a staple of Austin theatre for a decade. More on "In the West" in another post. But I remember one woman's monologue referred to this passage and the flavor of the story has stayed with me.

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

Not sure what I'm willing to do but I'm open to suggestions.

Happy Thanksgiving
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