From East and West

Jesus went through one town and village after another, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. Someone asked him, ‘Lord, will only a few be saved?’ He said to them, ‘Strive to enter through the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able. When once the owner of the house has got up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, “Lord, open to us”, then in reply he will say to you, “I do not know where you come from.” Then you will begin to say, “We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.” But he will say, “I do not know where you come from; go away from me, all you evildoers!” There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrown out. Then people will come from east and west, from north and south, and will eat in the kingdom of God. Luke 13:22-29

We have been in Scotland for several days now. We are in Aberdeen and we came from Edinburgh late last night. Edinburgh was full of voices from around the world. Here we have found more local voices and customs. Here we got to overhear conversations in remarkable local accents about everything from church, family and fish and chips. And I am learning to work on a brand new iPad. It is easy to feel as an outsider and foreigners. Yet there has been so much kindness and hospitality. We followers of Jesus must hear his words today. We cannot assume, because of our family or clan that we are welcomed through the narrow door. Our hearts must be open to others and our lives and works full of compassion and justice.

Oh wondrous Creator, who made the world round

With no edges and no restrictions for travel

You call us to you from every place and family.

We refuse to see your loving work in our world

Instead we focus on the misdeeds of our leaders

Forgetting to focus on our failures and cruelty.

Lift us from our selfish and closed visions

Help us to see your love the world round

And make us your followers as we serve. Amen.