Saturday August 27th, 2016 Hebrews 13:1-8,15-16
Do not neglect to do good? (verse 16)
The New Testament letter to the Hebrews is a densely argued defence of Christianity aimed at Jewish Christians. It feels like an attempt to prevent them from backsliding to their ancient tradition. Much of the letter is almost impenetrable to our very different 21st century minds.
But here and there, and especially in this last chapter, Hebrews speaks about the everyday practical consequences of this new faith, and then it becomes clear as a crisp, fall day: be hospitable to strangers, remember those in prison, be faithful in marriage, don’t spend your life chasing after money, and most simply, do not neglect to do good.
Theology attempts to clarify, but sometimes it ends up obscuring religious faith. Like Micah’s summary, the walk of faith can be described with breathtaking simplicity: “to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
Divine Mystery, I thank you for making life's walk crystal clear. Amen. — GHN
Contributed by The Clear Path
The New Testament letter to the Hebrews is a densely argued defence of Christianity aimed at Jewish Christians. It feels like an attempt to prevent them from backsliding to their ancient tradition. Much of the letter is almost impenetrable to our very different 21st century minds.
But here and there, and especially in this last chapter, Hebrews speaks about the everyday practical consequences of this new faith, and then it becomes clear as a crisp, fall day: be hospitable to strangers, remember those in prison, be faithful in marriage, don't spend your life chasing after money, and most simply, do not neglect to do good.
Theology attempts to clarify, but sometimes it ends up obscuring religious faith. Like Micah's summary, the walk of faith can be described with breathtaking simplicity: "to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God." (Micah 6:8)
