angels unaware
a poem.
I write because I don’t know many things, not because I do. Writing seems to put clarity to my thoughts and round out the rough edges. When weaved together artfully, they seem to be able to capture moments in a way simple terms can’t. I think the writing I love the most is when they don’t explain everything, but they capture something. And it’s that something that grounds us just enough so that we can lean into the complexities of the rest. Sometimes mystery and mysticism explain our faith better than a reasonable argument. Although there is much reason to our faith, certain things in our human experience seem to be best explained by being felt, not by being told. Stories seem to do this for us. I think that’s why Jesus told so many of them.
The human experience seems to include far more than we can explain. It demands to be experienced.
There is a verse in the book of Hebrews that I can’t explain, but I do think I’ve lived it.
“Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” (13:2).
People poke fun at me. I often ask the name of the worker at the cash register or the girl making my Chipotle bowl. Many times people are taken aback, worried I am going to use their name to complain to management or something. “Nice to meet you,” I say, and a smile always emerges. The moment we share in the connection of knowing each other’s names, it seems to change the interaction. Shared humanity.
I have had moments with strangers where they disappeared before my eyes. Did I meet angels? I don’t know. But whether or not I met celestial beings, I have never regretted showing hospitality to strangers. A simple smile and hello or using someone’s name seems to make a difference. Not always a big one, but a difference nonetheless. And more than anything else, I find Jesus among them.
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” (Matthew 25:44-45).
