I am often puzzled when I hear people
declare that the reason they don't practice their faith or don't attend church services is because they have
become disenchanted with organized religions. Personally, I have never seen a disorganized
religion because they don't last very long. A few disorganized churches maybe,
but not a disorganized religion.
I have come to believe that if a religion organizes itself around the love and the good news of Jesus Christ, then somehow it just plain works. Obviously we are then to make certain that our churches are obviously and clearly centered on and organized around the teachings of Jesus Christ. We can do this by acting like Christians, by being open and welcoming, where no one is a stranger, a place where the people reach out to the sick and bereaved, the homeless as well as the hopeless. Because it is in our churches that the act of love becomes fulfilled and I would submit to you that one of the first acts of love is hospitality.
I have come to believe that if a religion organizes itself around the love and the good news of Jesus Christ, then somehow it just plain works. Obviously we are then to make certain that our churches are obviously and clearly centered on and organized around the teachings of Jesus Christ. We can do this by acting like Christians, by being open and welcoming, where no one is a stranger, a place where the people reach out to the sick and bereaved, the homeless as well as the hopeless. Because it is in our churches that the act of love becomes fulfilled and I would submit to you that one of the first acts of love is hospitality.
We are called not only to open our churches but also our hearts because it is there that the act of love begins and the word of God is received and then made manifest.
There is an additional challenge we have,
and that is to make certain that our homes are places of welcome to our friends
and our families. This last challenge may require a transformation, because before
our homes can change, our hearts may need to change. When we are filled with
resentment or anger it leaves little room for love.
Anger and hate closes our hearts to the joy
and openness that God so much wants for us. Where hate lives, whether in our
hearts or in our homes, love can't exist. It is the places of anger and hurt
that the dust from the feet of the disciples finds its place.
When our home and our hearts become that
special place it will be a place where everyone is welcome, where no one is a
stranger. A place where you often here those words, those special words that
one day we hope to hear.
“Come
on in there is always room for one more.”
No comments:
Post a Comment