All the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around Jesus to listen to him. The Pharisees and legal experts were grumbling, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Jesus told them this parable: “Suppose someone among you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them. Wouldn’t he leave the other ninety-nine in the pasture and search for the lost one until he finds it? And when he finds it, he is thrilled and places it on his shoulders. When he arrives home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes both heart and life than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to change their hearts and lives. “Or what woman, if she owns ten silver coins and loses one of them, won’t light a lamp and sweep the house, searching her home carefully until she finds it? When she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, joy breaks out in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who changes both heart and life.” (Luke 15:1-10, CEB)
”This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
Who do you welcome?
People you agree with?
People just like you?
I had an exchange with a friend of a friend on Facebook yesterday about a difference of opinion on a matter and I asked them to explain why they believe/feel the way they do and their response was that I only wanted to argue and not learn. I responded, no I am looking for open conversation to move us forward to work together. I serve a ministry that says all are welcome. We mean all. I have had several conversations with people about how we do that. We speak openly about being a safe space for LGBTQIA+ community members. In doing this though are we not being welcoming to those who have not yet come to see past their past learnings and feelings toward this community. To be truly welcoming to all, we need to hear all opinions. Now opinions are sometimes things we can agree to disagree. I love coffee, and some of my friends don’t. We can agree to disagree. But we need to all see the sanctity of all life and check our homophobia, xenophobia, racism, and the like at the door. These will not be tolerated, but genuine discussion and open willingness to hear and be heard leads us to understanding.
Who do we welcome?
Because God welcomes all, even when we don’t and especially if we don’t like that.
Love like Jesus.
Loving People. Loving God.
aSacredRebel 