Matthew 10:7-16
I am always amazed at how much of the Bible is used as a weapon or simply as a justification of one's position. It was the Bible that was used to justify slavery back in the day. Slavery is mentioned in the Bible isn't it? Doesn't it say something about owning slaves being ok as long as they are from foreign lands? Can I own French slaves or Canadians? The Bible is so often misquoted, mis-translated and passages are taken out of context and simply bastardized.
The case in point today is that passage from Genesis often used as a 2x4 to beat down the gays and proclaim how evil gay sex is that happens to be referenced here today in Matthew. So what sin is here in Matthew that has any connection to gay sex? Well, there is not connection. The connection if you will is about hospitality. That was the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot meets two Angels disguised as men and offers them hospitality and protection. The men of Sodom and Gomorrah however want no part in hospitality, they wish to rape these two men as a sign of their power over them. Making a man submit as a women would be the ultimate disgrace in their culture. Women were chattel and to treat a man as a women was the ultimate in control and humiliation. This attempted man on man rape is not a homosexual act per se, it is rape. Consensual gay sex, love and commitment is the farthest thing from rape. To make matters worse, Lot offers his two daughters to the village men so the daughters can be raped in the place of the two male guests. Is this rape ok?? How is this little part of the story omitted when Biblical stormtroopers are hammering the gay community? If you are using this passage of man on man rape as a reason to condemn same sex consensual loving relationships, should not these same people condemn heterosexual relationships based on the rape of Lots two daughters? The twist and turns of poor Biblical translations and misuse is staggering. The passage from Genesis is but one example.
So we now know, in spite of the biblical stormtroopers that the Genesis story of Sodom and Gomorrah and this passage from Matthew are speaking about hospitality( or inhospitality ) , making people feel welcome, especially strangers. How do we make strangers feel?
Jesus was not always welcomed where he went. Sure, there were legions of followers and interested side liners, but there were many who felt threatened by Jesus, especially the Jewish leaders of the day. Their power would be supplanted by Jesus. Worse, Jesus was replacing them and also informing everyone how incorrectly legalistic and wrong hearted they were. A double whammy. So Jesus knew about not being welcomed. Jesus escaped from being stoned on several occasions, slipping out the back way so to speak.
It would seem hospitality is a big thing for us to practice. No only was Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed for their lack of hospitality, the disciples are being cautioned about it as they travel.
Whenever I travel I always try to stay in a nice hotel, B&B or with family. At the end of a travelling day it is joyous to kick up the feet and feel at home, welcome and rested, perhaps even a little room service might be in order. We can all appreciate being made feel welcome. We have ample passages to tell us that we are all called to be hospitable. After all, isn't everyone on this blue globe our brother and sister? God did not create borders, we do.
Perhaps at Easter when the church is filled with strangers, once a year Catholics or maybe a traveller or two, shouldn't we welcome everyone with open arms, minds and hearts? Isn't that what God calls us to be? If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgement than for that town
As you go, proclaim the good news, “The kingdom of heaven has come near.” Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for labourers deserve their food. Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. As you enter the house, greet it. If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgement than for that town.
‘See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.
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