The door to an Episcopal ChurchIn the Gospel lesson for Sunday, Jesus talks about welcoming. He says, "Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me."
This comes at the end of a long section of teaching to the disciples, in which Jesus sent them out to do his work of teaching and healing. Now at the end of this teaching, he talks about the welcome they'll receive and the welcome others give them.
Perhaps Matthew included this teaching because the sending and welcoming of missionaries was such an important part of the early community of Christians. It may be that sometimes emissaries from a Christian community weren't welcomed in another community. Jesus's words about welcoming were therefore important.
Welcoming is part of the DNA of the church. From the earliest times, welcoming the stranger or the visitor was part of what it mean to be a follower of Jesus. Our churches should be welcoming places.
At st. Antony's, we welcome our newcomers, our visitors, and all who show up at our doors. We are a welcoming church.
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This comes at the end of a long section of teaching to the disciples, in which Jesus sent them out to do his work of teaching and healing. Now at the end of this teaching, he talks about the welcome they'll receive and the welcome others give them.
Perhaps Matthew included this teaching because the sending and welcoming of missionaries was such an important part of the early community of Christians. It may be that sometimes emissaries from a Christian community weren't welcomed in another community. Jesus's words about welcoming were therefore important.
Welcoming is part of the DNA of the church. From the earliest times, welcoming the stranger or the visitor was part of what it mean to be a follower of Jesus. Our churches should be welcoming places.
At st. Antony's, we welcome our newcomers, our visitors, and all who show up at our doors. We are a welcoming church.
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