June 28th Reflection by Bill Lynch

Matthew 10:40-42
 ‘Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.’

Reflection
This passage brings to mind a couple of magnets I had as a child. Both of the magnets had a small hole in the center. The magnets were flat and about twice the thickness of one small section of a Hersey bar. When you held the magnets in one way against each other they would attract. Reverse one and it would seem to push or even cause the other magnet to appear to run away.

This passage makes me think of these magnets. It seems that Jesus has found a way to cause these magnets to always work together with one another no matter the orientation of the magnets. No matter the type of magnet, the prestige of the magnet, the orientation of the magnet, the size, color or anything else about the magnet, rich, poor, healthy, ill, in prison, homeless, addicted or what ever reason... it's the welcome that matters.

The "welcome" draws all people together in Christ. The "welcome" is what Jesus would have us do for anyone. The "welcome" brings people together to see what God has done for all the people in Christ Jesus.

We don't need to push or repel or even pull the other magnet whatsoever. We need to welcome the magnet and the push, pull, repel all combine into the grace of Jesus and what he did for all the people.

When I read this passage, the word welcome pops up over and over and over again. When we see another person... who knows? Maybe we should welcome them. Maybe... just maybe... we are welcoming Jesus in some way. Makes a good case to welcome one and all as far as I'm concerned. How about you?

Song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVRioESd_4Q

Prayer
Lord, forgive my judgmental eyes and teach me to see you in the eyes of another and welcome them. Welcome them to see the gracious act of your love... today... tomorrow... and forever. --- Amen