Kahu's Manao
Keawala‘i Congregational Church
United Church of Christ (USA)
Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Sunday, June 29, 2008
The Rev. Kealahou C. Alika
“Gifts of Compassion”
Romans
6:12-23 & Matthew 10:40-42
The blessing was for the opening of an office in Kahului for a large high tech corporation based in Seattle. Most of those hired were kama‘āina, born and raised here in Hawai‘i, and based on a number of conversations that I had with others after the blessing, several were recruited from other parts of the country for the work that was being done here on Maui.
I accepted the invitation to offer the blessing. The ceremony itself included words of welcome that were offered and words of appreciation that were expressed by those representing the company. The blessing was offered for the new office, the workers, and the reception that followed.
For those of us who live in Hawai‘i we know that any good host would provide food in celebration of such an occasion. The food included sushi, sashimi, chow fun, and teriyaki chicken as well as crackers and cheese, fruits, chips and salsa, and a vegetable tray with dip.
Guests were provided with paper plates and napkins and a choice of forks or chop sticks. As expected the kama‘āina were more likely to pick the chop sticks and turn to the sushi and sashimi. The malihini or newcomers found it easier to use forks to spear the cheese or fruit that seemed more recognizable.
Some may find it amusing to make a distinction between those who were kama‘āina and malihini based on the eating utensils and food that they selected, but what struck me about the reception was not what the guests chose to eat but what the host offered. Clearly there was an effort to be aware of those who would be in attendance at the event.
Such ho‘okipa or hospitality is at the heart of not only Hawaiian culture but cultures around the world. In the ancient Near East of Jesus’ day hospitality was an act of friendship shown to a visitor. It was bound up in customs and practices that all were expected to observe.
Hospitality was the process of “receiving” outsiders and changing them from strangers to guests. Such hospitality was different from entertaining family and friends (Harper's Bible Dictionary).
If strangers were not to be entirely ignored it was important that the following assessment be made. First, strangers were tested. Efforts were made to determine if any posed a threat to the community.
Second, because strangers often lacked any recognition within the communities they visited, it was important that such individuals came under the care and protection of a member of that community. Once such a bond was established, strangers were then welcomed as guests.
Third, the stranger now guest may leave the host either as a friend or an enemy. If as a friend, the guest will spread words of praise for the host (1 Thessalonians 1:9; Philippians 4:16). If an as enemy, the guest will leave with no good word to offer.
Our reading from The Gospel According to Matthew (10:40-42) exemplifies the kind of hospitality in which such giving and receiving occurs. Jesus challenges the twelve disciples to be generous and extravagant in their welcome of others.
We would be wrong to minimize the significance of a “cup of cold water” (Matthew 10:42). Within the arid regions of Jesus’ day water was looked upon both as a precious commodity and a powerful symbol of life.
The unforgiving desert terrain made hospitality more than just a social pleasantry. Life depended on water and welcome.
To give the gift of water was to give the gift of compassion. To receive the gift of water and welcome was to experience God’s grace. What the writer of Matthew does for us is underscore the understanding that the presence of Christ is revealed in the basic act of giving someone a cup of cold water and a word of welcome.
Jesus did the same when he said to the disciples, "Whoever welcome you welcomes me. Whoever gives even a cup of cold water welcomes me." By welcoming the stranger into our midst, we welcome the presence of Christ.
If that is true then it is also true that the presence of Christ is always revealed in a word of welcome, even when we least expect it. When the card, dated June 16th arrived in the mail, I remembered that we had had an opportunity for a brief moment to say "hello" to one another at the close of our worship service. Bob and his wife had come to worship with us the Sunday before.
"My wife and I are spending some two weeks in the islands on our vacation," he said. "Even though a pastor myself, I don't ordinarily get too excited about finding a church on a Sunday morning when away from Harrisburg, (Pennsylvania)," he confessed. "But having visited Keawala‘i a few evenings before for strictly tourist (and) historical reasons, I felt compelled to be at worship that day. I followed that sense and was glad that I had, very much enjoying the spirit of the worship time."
"There is a very nice, warm, and friendly atmosphere which pervades worship and which embraces the visitor very positively. So good to experience that from the stranger's angle, usually being on the other side of things." And then he added, "I felt myself to be your kin, though I hail from so very far away."
There have been numerous occasions when others have shared their aloha with us. Many have expressed their appreciation for the ho‘okipa or hospitality that we value and share – whether it was a word of welcome or a cup of cold water.
After the blessing, I picked up a paper plate and some chopsticks. As others gathered conversations began.
“Where are you from?” I asked.
“Texas,” he responded. “I was hired by the company to come to Maui.”
“It sounds like you’re from Texas,” I said. “It looks like it too,” I added pointing to the cheese and crackers and carrot sticks on his plate.
“I know,” he said sounding like he was aware of his choice of pūpū, uncertain about the sushi and chow fun and that he did not want to offend the host.
“Don’t worry about it too much,” I assured him. “You’ll have lots of other opportunities to try things out at your own speed. Besides you can never go wrong with the bottled water.”
He smiled. “Welcome to Maui!” I said.