In the last chapter of the Book of Hebrews, the author of that sacred text (thought by some to be the Apostle Paul) gives final thoughts in the form of seemingly random bits of counsel—not so much connected by theme as by audience. Namely, the Saints then living in Jerusalem. While this last chapter covers lots of ground, today we home in on one particular statement.
In the second verse, we are counseled to not reject, but "welcome" strangers (or those we do not know), as some (in the past) have done so—not realizing they are actually encountering a visiting angel. Miraculous! And who are these angels? Well, one can only conjecture, but there was a persistent tradition in the Church—all the way down through St. Augustine (AD 354-430) and based on a statement in John 21:21-22—which held that John (the author of the Gospel of John) had not died but, rather, walks about upon the earth as a sort of angelic being, doing the will of God. Thus, John potentially qualifies as one of these angels whom we're told walk the earth today.
Regardless, our verse today assures us that there are those who appear to be humans but, instead, are angelic messengers. The Book of Hebrews tells us that they can and do interact with humans and offer us some sort of message from God—but only if we accept and welcome them. Are you open to this potential visitation in the form of a stranger?
In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the Israelites at a time of great despair. They were exiled, living in Babylon, far from their homeland. Jeremiah's words were meant to offer hope and assurance during this period of upheaval. His message was not just for their immediate comfort but also to give them a perspective of a hopeful future planned by God.
This passage in Jeremiah speaks directly to the heart of encouragement, especially in the face of uncertainty and difficulty. It's a reminder that even when our current circumstances seem bleak or disheartening, there is a broader plan for good, for hope, and for a future. This can be particularly resonant for us when we face our own periods of doubt or when our path seems unclear. It's a call to trust in a greater plan that we might not fully understand yet.