Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Some of you may remember Ellie Bender, the long-time sexton at St. Paul’s Cathedral who, for decades, served God through the ministry of hospitality. The reading from Hebrews describes Ellie to a “t”.

On a March morning in 2017, then Presiding Bishop Michael Curry was visiting the diocese and he arrived at the Cathedral for the morning Eucharist and he was met at the door by Ellie. She greeted him warmly with her “Welcome to St. Paul’s” greeting and offered him a cup of coffee. He was warmly welcomed as was everyone who served, attended or just visited the Cathedral.

Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.

Every night, for about 5 years, Dave would show up to sleep on the landing at the top of the steps leading into the Cathedral. On especially frigid nights, Ellie would offer Dave a space inside. Dave would always decline. But he did accept the coffee, warm soup and extra blankets Ellie provided. Dave was warmly welcomed even when he only stayed outside.

She watched out for Dave and when he became quite ill she led the charge to get Dave into the VA hospital and into housing.

Dave didn’t like being inside. He came back to his spot at the Cathedral and it was Ellie who found his body when he died overnight.

Ellie cried as hard for Dave as she did anyone who worshipped inside the Cathedral. Why?

Because Ellie never neglected to show hospitality to anyone, for by doing that she entertained angels.

Whether it was co-leading the youth group with me when I served at the Cathedral; helping set the altar before the 8 am or weekday noon services; making sure the bus drivers who had a route on Church street, the meter maids who chalked tires, lawyers hurrying to and from court; whether it was Presiding Bishops, Deans, Canons, Diocesan Bishops, Mayors, Governors or presidential candidates; whether it was a 14 year old with an attitude or a 50 year old without a place to lay their head, Ellie Bender loved everyone. Always. No exceptions.

Of course, this week we’re all mourning the innocents who were gunned down while praying for the new school year. Now more than ever, what our world needs is more Ellies— a woman who never neglected to show hospitality to strangers and friends alike, and by doing so, entertained angels without knowing it.

When we treat one another as if we’re entertaining angels, instead of fighting them for the best seat, the largest paycheck or the position of greatest honor, when we treat everyone with love and respect and demand that our elected officials do the same we just may, I pray, in the lifetimes of our children and grandchildren, establish a world that is more reminiscent of the dream God has for it, rather than the nightmare we’ve made it.

Let’s all be Like Ellie and entertain all whom we encounter as the beloved children of God they are, and in the process, save this world.

May it be so.

Amen.