‘Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; 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.’ Matthew 10:40-42
There are welcome signs everywhere, yet people are often unwelcoming and inhospitable. We often wear our grief and frustration on our faces, scowling at people who have done nothing to engender our anger. Often, we are frightened of strangers, worried that they will harm us in some way. My ancestors lived radical hospitality, long before they were brought the teaching of Jesus. And many of our tribes were treated as strangers and unwanted in their traditional homelands. May we take to heart the invitation of Christ to truly welcome the stranger, to offer a cup of cold water and to make a place at the table today.
Gracious Creator, we are your children
in diversity and complexity you love us
there is not one who is not close to your heart
and you seek those who stray from home.
Lord, help us welcome you by welcoming the stranger.
We often fear those who are different
keeping to our familiar and comfortable places
we get angry when folks obviously don't belong
and think that our world is falling apart.
Lord, help us welcome you by welcoming the stranger.
Each of us came into this world totally dependent
someone had to feed us and clothe us daily
how quickly we forget that constant care
and how quickly we forget our need for you.
Lord, help us welcome you by welcoming the stranger.
You have made our world abundant and full
yet we believe that you will not provide for us.
Lord, help us welcome you by welcoming the stranger.
We store up more than we can ever possibly use
and do not share our abundance with others.
Lord, help us welcome you by welcoming the stranger.
Make are hearts open to every other person
so that you love and welcome might be known.
Lord, help us welcome you by welcoming the stranger. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment