Sermon 02 july 2017 (pentecost +4; Mt 10.40-42)

         A number of years ago, I was visiting my friend Kate in East Africa. She was living and working in a place that was literally off the map - at least half of the adventure was just getting there.

         One day as we were just chatting, listening to the monkeys pester the chickens, giggling about whatever we were giggling about, there was a knock at the door. Kate answered, then walked to the kitchen, walked back a moment later carrying a cup of water. There was conversation in Kiswahili (which I obviously did not understand), then a moment later she shut the door, and put the empty cup back in the kitchen, and came back to continue our visit.

         Obviously seeing my confusion, she let me know that a child was walking by, and was thirsty, so he came to her door for a drink. This was somewhat normal there... and to deny someone a cup of cool water when they asked was simply NOT done.

         The circumstances of water at the time were fascinating. The region was in a drought; the reservoir was lower than was safe or sustainable. Any time there was rain, people ran outside with buckets to catch the runoff from the corrugated roofs.

         To shower, Kate would manually fill a large(ish) basin on a shelf near the roof, use her kerosene stove (which was also used for cooking) to heat the water, then let it trickle out as needed. To drink or cook, water was boiled and run through a charcoal filter.

         There was no way one would waste water in these circumstances. There was also no way one would withhold water in these circumstances.

         So when the young boy had passed by and he was thirsty, he just knocked on the door and asked for water. It wasn't just at Kate's house where this could be expected - it would have been at any house, at any time.

         Now, imagine, in our culture, what would happen if someone knocked on a random door and asked for water. Some unfortunate possibilities include:

Suspicion and cynicism: Who is this person, and why do they need my water?

Criticism and derision: Why don't they get water at home, and carry some with them?

Contempt and disdain: Today it's water, what will they expect tomorrow? Will I be expected to give water every day?

Fear: What if they're using water to get into my house and rob me?

There could be snarky responses... or a sarcastic "fine" that speaks of judgement and insult; or the non-verbal responses... the eye rolls, the deep sighs, the head tilts or shoulder drops.

         That's not really ideal, is it? Not really a welcoming gesture or response to someone asking for something so simple... But we can all imagine those responses to a knock at the door from a stranger.

         Yet for the boy that day, knocking on Kate's door, he knew that it was okay to ask, and that he would be cared for.

         That's the type of welcome that Jesus is speaking of in today's Gospel. A hospitality that can be so simple, yet so necessary. A hospitality that is safe, that is important, that is exactly what's needed, and that is reciprocal. It's a hospitality that is universal, too.

         This hospitality is one that everyone can offer. It's one that everyone should be prepared to offer. It's one that everyone should be willing to do, with a joyful heart.

         That's where it gets to be special. Because the intention is what makes this mission and ministry: this is not just about pouring a cup of water, but a genuine desire of the heart to provide what is needed and wanted to someone in our midst. It is changing the story from one of selfish distrust and dismissal to one of Christ-like hospitality and welcome.

         Even in the midst of drought, of catching water off a roof, of boiling and filtering - it was a joy to share. There was no hoarding, no denial, no selfishness. Because there was trust that there would be enough.

         Because God gives us community so that we can share with one another. God gives us opportunity to recognise the abundance - the enough-ness - of what we have. God invites us to take that enough-ness and grow community.

         And so our gospel invitation today is to do just that - to look at our lives and to assess what we have, and what we are able to share.

         And here's a key message: it's not actually about water.

         Hey - water's great. I like water. I enjoy indoor plumbing. I appreciate have safe potable water at multiple taps all over the place.
         But this isn't a message about water; at least not about the H2O element. This is about the Living Water being made easily accessible to anyone who would ask. That's Jesus' message today.    
         He's focusing on hospitality, on welcome. He's gently (ish) giving us - as the unnamed disciple - the reminder that we are sent into the world to look not inwardly to ourselves, but outwardly to the world - to God's world. And we are meant to find ways to offer welcome. Welcome to the littlest of our brothers and sisters, without any expectation of getting something in return: aside from what's called the psychological paycheque - which just means the joy and happiness that comes from having done something right and good for someone other than ourselves. 

         Within our church here there are ways that can be done... not having a "MY pew" attitude... making sure guests have the bulletin and know which book we're using... sitting with someone we don't normally sit with at coffee hour... asking people to share their ideas for what we can do to build community.

         It costs nothing, it comes from our abundance, and it can be as restorative and refreshing as a cold cup of water on a hot summer's day.

         Within our broader community there are ways we can do this... inviting an unknown neighbour for coffee and conversation... not making a snap judgement or snarky comment on social media... reaching out to social service agencies to ask what they need most and finding ways to provide those needs.

         Again, it costs nothing or little, it comes from our abundance, and it can be as restorative and refreshing as a cold cup of water on a hot summer's day.

         So let's engage this week in ways to be welcoming, ways to offer hospitality. Let's put away the negative reactions that seem to be so prevalent in our culture, and instead celebrate the abundance we have. Let's delight in the 'enough-ness' that pervades our lives, and seek out ways in which we can offer that with grateful hearts.

         The hospitality is within us, and it doesn't cost us to extend it. The welcome is waiting, when we choose to see the opportunity to share it. The ministry and mission of the church is meant for the whole church, when we realise that we are all sent by God to make a difference, no matter how large or how small.

         Let us cheerfully respond to the invitation to carry the mission of the Lord into our world: let us offer that cold cup of water, that refreshing Living Water, to everyone who thirsts.