Entertaining an Angel
Hospitality, Homelessness, and Fire from Heaven
First, welcome to the numerous new subscribers to this newsletter. I am grateful that so many of you—like me—are convinced that theology ought to be pastoral, and that the pastorate ought to be theological.
This post builds on two previous posts concerning who the gospel is for, and the theological importance of the number two.
Two angels entered Sodom before heavenly fire destroyed it. The author of Hebrews—clearly thinking of this story—advises the church to show hospitality to strangers for “because of this, some have entertained angels unawares” (Heb 13:2). On at least one occasion, Resurrection Assembly of God in Iowa City entertained a strange angel.
She appeared during office hours, disheveled and looking homeless. I hesitate to say that I was afraid, because that kind of stigma attached to homelessness in many instances needs to be deconstructed. But I was afraid. Were not angels in the Scriptures also met with terror on the part of their hosts? That’s why they always have to say, “Fear not!”
She had wrapped random bits of clothing around her head and face so that only her shadowed eyes were peeking through. Her voice was raspy and quiet. She refused to give us a name other than, “Pretty.” We sat down and talked. We gave her food. We put all-weather boots on her naked feet, which particularly excited her. This went on for days.
With each successive day, and as we proved our willingness to show hospitality to this stranger, she began removing, piece by piece, the articles of clothing from her face to reveal herself. Her voice became less raspy and increased in volume. After about a week she asked if we could help her with a bus ticket to Chicago. We bought it for her, though I don’t remember how we paid for it.
How did we know she was an angel? I can’t fully explain it. But we were left sober and compelled that a heavenly presence had visited us. Why visit us? I don’t know, except that it revealed something of ourselves to us. Angels always visit before God himself shows up.
Fire fell on Sodom, and fire fell on Pentecost. How we receive angels will determine which fire we get.
So, church, look for and expect strange angels to knock on your door. They’re almost always homeless, like Christ was. Receive them as you would receive Jesus, and Jesus might just come knocking next. Finally, if you’re ever in Chicago, look for an angel there, because that’s where she said she was going.