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“Welcome” – Sunday, September 23, 2018
“Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.” Jesus had a way of deflating the egos of his disciples whenever they got too puffed up with their own importance. When they started arguing about which one of them was the greatest in the eyes of God, Jesus steps in and takes them down a couple of notches. It was not that he was trying to make them feel badly; rather it was to deepen their understanding of what it means to be a one of his followers. It was not to be about status, or power, or piety – it was to have the humility to set one’s own agenda aside and be open to meet and welcome the presence of God in all people.
Two questions we might ask ourselves: “When visitors or newcomers find their way to St. James’ are we ready and willing to accept them as they are?” and “What can we do to make people feel valued and welcomed?”
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