I've been wanting to spend some time by myself, lately. Just me and the garden...just me and a trout stream...just me and a good trail. I'd settle for just me and a good book! So Jesus' words in this coming week's gospel story are a challenge to me. "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."
Children weren't considered to be of much worth in Jesus' day. And though that has changed tremendously in our day, I find myself wondering who it is we believe is worth little. Who is it we don't feel deserves our welcome? Who is it that remains perpetually on the outside? The answers vary, from community to community, from culture to culture, and they certainly vary among individuals. But the ones who have come most into my view in the past few months are those with emotional, intellectual, and psychological challenges. Those who are considered of little worth, because it seems they offer so little to society. Those who are easily cut from needed services, because we really don't care about them that much, and figure they'll never repay what it is they may cost us in taxes.
Until you get to know the real people behind the labels. Those with bi-polar disorder who self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, just to try to feel "normal". Those who have a criminal history, who are fighting to make a life for themselves and their children, against long odds. Those who have a mental handicap, who may be cared for by a parent - until the parent is too old. Who will care for them then? Those who are simply growing older, watching their lives dissolve one precious piece at a time, leaving them only with memories - and few choices.
Some churches do very well with people like this - but many of our communities of Christ-followers do not. We prefer people who won't frighten off the folks who choose to attend, and who can bring something to offer. (We somehow manage to look past the gifts of those that are labeled.) We prefer, actually, people who won't frighten or challenge us. And when we do this - when I do this - I am no longer following Jesus. I'm simply following my own preferences, with no concern for those Jesus specifically put into my path, and therefore into my care.
To my brothers and sisters in Christ, I say this. There have been, and will yet be, times in your life when you will be that child, in need of welcome and care and nurture. If you have not trained others to love, have not learned to love yourself, have neglected to welcome anyone sent you by Jesus...
