<> Ask the Pastor The Rev. Walter Snyder This week ends the Church Year for those people who follow the ancient patterns of worship. The last Sunday after Pentecost focuses on the end of time, the completion of the Holy Spirit's work of conversion and sanctification, and the return of Christ in judgment. For the believer, this is a time of comfort, because we know that Jesus' return will be to bring us to the place he has prepared for us. We also celebrate our American holiday of Thanksgiving this Thursday. Technically a "government" holiday, invented by Washington, D.C., it's an acknowledgment by the state that our land is, indeed, blessed. It's ironic that the Church has difficulty reminding the state that if there is blessing, there must be a Blesser. Christians know who has blessed them. We give thanks for much more than a big pile of food on the plate. We remind our neighbors that true blessing comes only from God. We aren't blessed because we have things. We're blessed because we have forgiveness and eternal life through faith in Christ. Everything else is gravy (which goes well with the mashed potatoes and stuffing on the Thanksgiving dinner table). Q: What is our obligation to "the stranger within our gate"? A: In an immigrant nation at a time such as Thanksgiving, this question should stir all believers. All of us Americans have come from someplace else. Even the "native" Americans appear to have come here from another land. Some of us or our parents came willingly, some because no options remained in the old land. Of course, some are here because their ancestors were brought here against their will. However they happened, all these moves made for many strangers arriving within the gates of others. Sometimes they were met with compassion. Others faced hostility or exploitation. The Old Testament mentions strangers, or resident aliens, in several places. Excepting worship and inclusion in the Covenant Promise to Israel, they were to be treated equally. The laws were to apply the same to them as to those born as sons of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They were to have equal protection. And if the Lord moved them to renounce their old gods and worship the true God, they were to be considered exactly the same as those who were born in the household of Israel. After all, Abraham had been a stranger in a strange land. Joseph's family were strangers welcomed to Egypt during the drought. Israel knew what it was like to be away from home and was to remember that in its dealings with others. These strangers were different from those who were condemned for leading Israel astray with false gods and idol worship. Their presence was not to be tolerated. But if someone like Ruth was willing to forsake the gods of her youth, she was not to be despised or discriminated against. In our pluralistic nation, condemnation of those who pervert Christian truth is not practiced very much. Sadly, we don't much practice evangelism of those unbelievers who come to our land, either. Refugees and the rich alike arrive here, and the Church rarely remembers how to deal with them. Americans, including Christians, tend to ignore our newcomers unless someone brings them to our attention. We forget that we come from folks who were strangers and that, as believers, we remain strangers in a strange land until we reach our true home in heaven. "Foreigners" are people to be invited to join our pilgrim throng as we press toward the Promised Land. The ill-clothed and the poorly fed are opportunities for us to serve. The unbelievers are a chance for us to speak and to live our beliefs in a loving, caring God. The Law of God and our nation's laws obligate us to look after the "strangers" within our gate until they are strange no more. Even more, the Gospel of Christ empowers us to do all we can to bring the message of reconciliation to them. It's moving when yesterday's strangers become today's citizens. It's infinitely more exciting when those born strangers and enemies to God become citizens of the Kingdom through Baptism and the Word. The former allows them to be thankful for creature comforts and equal protection under our laws. The latter allows them to be completely thankful that they have been removed from the divine quarantine against sinners and have been made children of their heavenly Father through faith in Christ Jesus. Until next week, when we enjoy more of your questions, remember to "Ask the Pastor" at P.O. Box 1080, Jasper, Texas, 75951; E-mail xrysostom@aol.com; or catch me around town. Pastor Snyder serves St. Paul and Faith Lutheran Churches, Jasper and Woodville, Texas and is coauthor of the book "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1996 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.