We are now in the Book of Ephesians. This letter may be an adaptation of a letter to a specific church intended for general circulation. In it Paul offers his beautiful vision for the whole of creation unified and blessed in Christ.
Last Sunday our class considered Paul's citizenship metaphor in chapter 2. We shared about how our families came to be citizens in America. We learned that our families came from many and diverse places, all, presumably, looking for new opportunity and richer lives in the New World. However our memories and awareness of this are thin; we all wished we actually knew more about how it must have felt to become a citizen of a new country. Yet this is the very awareness Paul addresses in helping new Christians understand how they belong to a new citizenry and one household under God, through Christ.
Today I found an article in "Alive Now" magazine that I think is very worth sharing with you, on this topic. The article is written by the Rev. Larry Jent, a United Methodist pastor. The title of the piece is "Dangerous Words".
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"Welcome one another, therefore, just has Christ has welcomed you." - Paul of Tarsus, Jewish citizen of Rome, Christian Apostle to the Gentiles; in Romans 15:7
These are dangerous words: welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you. Forgive, and it will be forgiven you (Luke 6). Love as you have been loved (John 15).
Once in a while we are privileged to meet someone who lives by that golden rule -- who gives with the same measure they have received from Christ. It seems to me that the folks who are best at this are generally those who feel Christ's love in a fresh way. People who have recently found the power to get clean and sober are able to see hope for anyone. People who have recently been healed are quick to offer powerful words of healing. Those who have been alone a long time -- and have recently found a home for their souls -- are very, very good at inviting others to come home.
In America, we tend to have very short memories. We believe we have always been here. Things have always been like this. Our culture grinds down our memories. Most of our families are newcomers. Most of us came without a prayer. We found our way in this land because people welcomed us . . . and we have forgotten all of that. God called the people to remember their roots. "My father was a wandering Aramean." So begins the Jewish credo. "We were strangers in a strange land -- slaves to Pharaoh -- but God brought us out to freedom."
If only we could remember how our families were welcomed; our lives would be filled with gratitude and wonder. But be careful: for we might also be called to care for strangers -- just as others have cared for us.
See you in class!
Pastor Dan
