“Welcome”
Genesis 22:1-14
Romans 6:12-23
Matthew 10:40-42
Todays passage from the Gospel of Matthew reminds us that whoever welcomes you welcomes Jesus and whoever welcomes Jesus welcomes the one who sent him…meaning the creator God.
Welcome a friend, welcome a stranger and you are welcoming Jesus. It’s much like the benediction: may you see the face of Christ in everyone you meet and may everyone you meet see the face of Christ in you.
That is exactly what we tried to do with our Vacation Bible School about 25 years ago. I was serving another Church, our CE Director wrote our own curriculum and it was called Peace School. Basically, it was VBS but more of an emphasis on peaceful activities for the body, mind and environment. But I do recall that one day we had an activity in which we had children go through a series of walks around the neighborhood. They were given riddles and directions and they had to find the next stopping place.
At each stopping place we had them meet and welcome someone who was not necessarily a part of their world.
We had them meet a policewoman, and a Vietnam Veteran, we had someone in a wheelchair, someone who had been a part of the Civil Rights movement of the 60’s. We had a homemaker and a factory worker. Pretty common stuff but in each case we wanted our kids to recognize the complexity of society and the contributions to society of its various members.
Society changes and I wonder, if we were to hold a Peace School right here at DCC today, as we did 25 years ago; just what members of society would we want to introduce to our kids and to one another.
I’d introduce a Republican to a Democrat. I think at their very core they both want what’s best for America and I think that it is good that they have competing ideas for what makes this country what it is. I would emphasize that Republicans are people too and that a part of their governing philosophy is that the individual must take care of themselves with as little intrusion from government as possible. I would emphasize that Democrats also take pride in the individual and his/her achievements but that the government should be more of a player in their lives if they need the help.
In our DCC Peace School: I’d introduce a Mexican migrant laborer to a factory worker. We certainly never thought of this 25 years ago. Both work for the good of their families and for the free enterprise system. Both want recognition and dignity. No, I have no solutions to unemployed American factory workers and the presence of migrant laborers and the distribution of jobs. I am not that smart but I would uphold the dignity of both forms of labor and the goodness of the people who perform that labor. I think we should be welcoming in the Mexican migrant and the factory worker. I’ll think about that the next time I eat at a full spread salad bar or purchase red peppers from Kroger. I’ll think about that the next time I purchase a new air conditioner or a new car.
Third, I would introduce a Christian to a Muslim. Twenty five years ago this would not seem that crucial. Today I think it is. A couple years ago we had a Ramadan dinner…and why did 90 people show up at our church in June to eat dinner at the ungodly hour of 9:20 at night? We broke fast with our Muslim neighbors as the sun went down. When is the last time you broke bread with a Muslim? Your school-aged kids are doing so daily in schools. I think we Christians should be welcoming in the Muslim and in doing so, we are true to our Christian Heritage. I’ll think about that when my child says that his new friend from school is named Mohammad or perhaps a Hindu named Sanjay.
And finally, in thinking about two groups that I want to welcome one another: I would introduce for a discussion, people from different groups of color. What does it mean when we say Black Lives Matter and what does White privilege mean and is respecting Black Lives at the expense of all other lives? This discussion is only 400 years along…but it is vital.
A number of years ago I was walking through the Emergency Room waiting area in my local hospital on a Saturday night. It was packed but someone called out to me. (As many of you know…the local hospital ER is THE waiting room for the poor when they are in need of medical attention. ER’s have to treat everyone.) But, on that evening it was Alice and Charlie from my church who called out to me. They were good friends of mine. Retired. They had means to travel and enjoy life. But Alice had an issue with breathing and came to the ER. They were seated there. We talked. And finally, Alice looked around and said, “Do you see the type of people here in the ER? I said, “Yes, I see them.”
And Alice replied, “I never knew!”
We do our best to keep our eyes and our hearts and souls open so that we might notice.
The Gospel of Matthew writes;
“And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple – truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”
Genesis 22:1-14
This is the story of God testing Abraham….where he is to take his son Isaac and sacrifice him there on the mountain.
The drama is played out slowly and Abraham binds up Isaac for the sacrifice…and at the last moment God stops Abraham and has him sacrifice a ram instead.
This passage is rather horrifying…what kind of God would do such a thing….but the question is more correctly….how did the writers of Genesis envision their God…and how their God would put them to the test in order to prove their love.
Sacrifice your son for me…God is saying…oh wait…never mind…I see that you love me!
Have a nice day.
Romans 6:12-23….
We are counseled to not let sin rule us…but to present ourselves to God as instruments of righteousness. Once you were under the dominance of sin…but now you have been set free and are under the rule of righteousness.
Matthew 10:40-42
Welcoming the stranger is welcoming Christ and welcoming Christ is welcoming God. And giving just a cup of cold water to someone in the name of Christ….will be rewarded…with righteousness.