21st Sunday in Ordinary Time

Our readings for the 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time are:

1. Isaiah 66: 18-21
2. Psalms 117: 1, 2
3. Hebrews 12: 5-7, 11-13
4. Luke 13: 22-30

• Hey, who are you calling "brother"
• The term Balkinization refers to a geopolitical process that breaks a region up into smaller and smaller units based on culture, ethnicity, or other shared traits.  For a sad commentary on how that can happen within Christianity, read https://www.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/2gg7dr/heresy/.
• If you look at the person next to you in Church, what do you assume about them?  Do you assume that they believe in the same God that you do, have the same values that you do, pay their bills on time, vote one way or the other, ...?
• Why do you think that it's important that we be welcoming to others?
• What are some tangible, meaningful ways that we can make that welcome clear and effective?

• God's fidelity
• No one likes a flaky friend.  We want to know who that we can really count on, so that we don't waste time with so called "fair weather friends."
• Think of a time of real hardship for you.  How was God present with you through that?
• How would you describe that Presence as an expression of God's fidelity?
• If a friend of yours had treated you that way, how would you have taken it?

• Feeling the love
• Athletes like to quote the saying "no pain, no gain".  Which does not necessarily mean that there is always gain from pain.
• Looking back over tough times that you have had in life, how have those made you a better, stronger, more empathetic person?
• Were those gifts?
• Would you go through those tough times again, if you were given the chance?

• Is heaven big enough for all of us?
• In Calvin & Hobbs, Calvin creates an exclusive club where no girls are allowed.  That exclusivity makes Calvin feel important, part of an elite, someone with advantages that might even be enviable.  We laugh at such childish sentiments.
• Would you be disappointed to find people who have betrayed you in heaven?
• What would that tell you about God?
• What would that tell you about those other people?
• What would that tell you about your sense of betrayal?

• Preparation for Reconciliation:

1. Do I have the courage to welcome everyone?
2. How can I mirror God's faithfulness in my life?
3. Am I grateful for everything that God brings into my life?
4. What is lacking in my generosity toward others.

You must be new here

I've heard of a church with a sign at the entrance to the parking lot:

"If this is your first time hear, please turn on your headlights."

That signal calls forth an usher standing by, a valet if you will.

Who guides you to one of the VIP parking stalls close to the door.

That valet then stays with your and your family through the service.

Showing you where the worship aids are, how to use the kneelers,

They introduce themselves and their family to you and your family,

Invite you to their table for coffee and doughnuts after the service.

Then, in the weeks following, they call you from time to time.

No pressure, just interest.  Asking how you are doing, 

Asking if you have any needs that the congregation can help with.

Making sure that you never fall between the cracks and disappear.

And the welcome continues.  In time, someone taps you.

Asks you whether you would like to join the parking lot ministry,

Or if you have the time on a few Saturdays to feed the hungry,

Or serve coffee some Sunday morning.

When does a good welcome really end?

To whom does the Church really belong?

What does our welcome say about who we are?

What would you like for our welcome to say about us?

Shalom!