Reflections...

A sermon preached at Kowloon Union Church on 02 June2024, by Rev. Phyllis Wong. The scripture readings that day were Genesis 20: -1 and Acts 21: 1-6.

A World Without Strangers

I have always been attracted by an advertisement for fashion clothes with the catchy words – a world without strangers. 

As an outgoing individual, I have always enjoyed meeting people from various backgrounds, including strangers. Therefore, joining the international community of Kowloon Union Church (a church with diverse members and visitors) felt like the perfect fit for me, allowing me to serve and belong.

Within KUC, I have encountered a multitude of strangers, with most being kind, friendly, and even inspiring individuals. However, there were also encounters with rude, unkind, and even malicious strangers. Additionally, some strangers sought help from the church, and among them, there were givers, takers, and those who showed both qualities.

While my experiences with strangers were not always pleasant, I recall an incident from years ago that stands out. A man approached the church seeking financial assistance, and when I declined his request, he responded by cursing me – “you go to hell”. As an open church, we welcome strangers daily, and our motto is "where all are one." We strive to be an inclusive community that embraces everyone, including strangers. But what happens when strangers do not meet our expectations of friendliness and instead bring troubles into our lives?

Today's scripture reading from the Old Testament sheds light on Abraham, the Father of Faith and the reputable ancestor of the Jewish community. When Abraham and his wife Sarah journeyed to the foreign land of Gerar, they became strangers in a place where the locals were also strangers to them. This unfamiliarity bred insecurity within Abraham, leading him to partially conceal the truth by claiming Sarah was his sister. Although they were siblings by birth as they were born with the same father, they were also husband and wife.

When King Abimelech of Gerar received a divine warning in a dream not to touch Sarah, he was displeased with Abraham's deceit, feeling on the edge of shame and guilt. This account presents a realistic phenomenon of human nature. As a stranger in a foreign land, Abraham, despite being regarded as the Father of Faith, exhibited timidity, worry, and suspicion when faced with insecurity.

From this narrative, we can obtain the principle of understanding the sense of insecurity and vulnerability experienced by strangers. God intervened by assuring the King Abimelech of Gerar that Abraham was a prophet, and through this divine encounter, the King not only returned Sarah to Abraham but also offered him land and animals, enabling him to start a new life. This illustrates God's acceptance, care, and embrace of strangers.

Through King Abimelech's generosity, we learn the importance of treating strangers well, a cherished tradition among the Hebrews. Abraham initially believed that the people of Gerar did not fear God, leading him to mistrust them. However, the actions of the King proved him wrong. When we find ourselves in strange environments or among strangers, it is crucial to remain open and acknowledge the realities and characters of those around us. We must be mindful of our own stereotypes and preconceptions.

 

The King's open and generous heart towards God allowed him to treat the foreign couple exceptionally well, despite Abraham's lies and attempts to protect himself. The King provided them with means to survive and live decently, and as a result, Abraham’s blessings were bestowed upon the women of Gerar, (the King’s wives and his slaves) who started bearing children. This account showcases the beauty and multiple blessings that can arise between two individuals who were once strangers.

KUC has always been a church that welcomes strangers and extends generosity, particularly to those in genuine need. Through these acts of kindness, the church has been blessed by the service and participation of these strangers. Unexpectedly, this generosity has attracted other strangers who offer support. A few years ago, an elderly retired engineer, who had heard about KUC's service for the marginalized and vulnerable, walked into the church and donated HK$100,000 to support the ministry. During the pandemic, he continued sending checks to support the church. We are truly blessed by this generous stranger.

Drawing wisdom from both biblical narratives and our contemporary world, we yearn for a world without strangers. When we are connected through the love and life of God, we cease to be strangers and become brothers and sisters. Jesus Christ, God incarnate, unites all humanity, fostering reconciliation with God and one another.

But how do we heal from the wounds inflicted by strangers? The answer lies in seeking a deeper understanding of strangers, just as the King of Gerar did. We must be open to God's voice, seeking divine wisdom for the well-being of strangers, ourselves, the church, and society. We should approach each encounter with a fresh perspective, unburdened by past negative experiences.

In the biblical account from Genesis, it is evident that the King possessed more power, privilege, and resources than the strangers. In such power imbalances, it is the responsibility of the more powerful to exercise restraint and use their influence for the betterment of the weak and vulnerable. The King of Gerar serves as a sharp contrast to many contemporary authorities and governments who abuse their power, depriving people of conscience of their basic human rights. 

Recently, I met a friend who teaches at a university and expressed his dismay over the changes in Hong Kong since the enactment of the national security law. He described feeling like a stranger in his own city.

In a world without strangers, what hope exists for individuals like my friend, who find familiarity replaced by strangeness, uncertainty and insecurity? The answer lies in maintaining faith in God, the Creator of justice, liberation, and human history. It is through this faith that God will transform our world, eliminating the concept of strangers. We must not give up and continue to pursue goodness, justice, and kindness. By keeping faith in God and in ourselves, we find hope. With faith in God and people of conscience, we refuse to forget but to remember what have had happened to the innocents and people of righteousness. 

Let us remember that we are all created in God's holy image and eternally loved as God's beloved children. Everything in the world is a creation of God. To "re-member" means to return and become a member of God's family. To God, nothing is strange but rather precious.

Therefore, I encourage practicing spirituality that allows us to see everyone and everything through God's eyes. When we recognize the divine essence within each other, we can love without reserve. By seeing the divine in one another, we become united as one love and one life in God, the Creator.

As KUC celebrates its 100th anniversary, the question arises: What is KUC, and what are its missions for the next 100 years? Today, I emphasize the importance of continuing to build a world without strangers. In this world, we embrace strangers and endure unfamiliar situations while loving one another as brothers and sisters—children of God. We persist in seeking justice, loving kindness, and humbly walking with God.

In God's world, love extends not only between human beings but also encompasses nature and animals. As the international community will observe World Environment Day on 5 June, let us remember that God created the entire universe, and both human and non-human entities are good.

In God's world, there are no strangers—only unity and connection. Amen.