December 5, 2010 - Advent 2, Year A (RCL)
Do you remember
what it was like as a kid in school
when they chose teams?
Two people were chosen captains,
and then you all stood there,
maybe pushing to the front,
hoping to be picked first.
Or second,
or third,
or anything, other than last.
I was almost always last.
Because everyone knew
that I couldn’t hit a ball
if my life depended on it,
and I was usually the slowest runner
in my grade.
The only times I edged up to second or third last
was when we played netball,
which is kind of like basketball but with a whole lot less running.
No running, bigger ball; I was actually occasionally useful on the team.
But the rest of the time, last.
Of course, if we’d had to choose teams for spelling or singing or math,
I would have been chosen
a whole lot earlier.
As a kid
what order you’re chosen in
is really important.
It’s not just
about that one game.
It’s usually a sign
of where you fit in
in general.
School is one of those places
where some people are always in.
Whether it’s by virtue of their looks, or their sporting skills,
or whatever,
they get to define
who belongs
and who doesn’t.
And others, it seems
are always out.
And those who are out,
as often as not
form their own little groups
geeks, or goths, or whatever.
Because they need a place
to belong.
We all want
to belong.
To find a place in the world
where we are accepted for who we are,
and even more than that,
where we are actually wanted.
It’s one of those human needs -
we all seek approval.
And far too often
we try to get it
in unhealthy ways.
By buying it with money,
or getting into unhealthy relationships,
or acting out
so that we get the attention we want.
But there’s another option.
Today, in our second reading, we heard from the apostle Paul.
He was writing to the church in Rome,
the center of the civilized world as they knew it.
And this is the climax of his letter, chapter 15.
The next chapter, the last one in the letter,
is pretty much all
just individual greetings
to people he knows.
So all the way through his letter.
Paul has been working up to this.
Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Welcome one another.
And Paul is not just talking about
a handshake at the door,
or an invitation to coffee hour.
The word Paul uses to mean welcome
is often translated as “accept”.
So it might read
“Accept one another, therefore, just as Christ has accepted you, for the glory of God.”
Accept,
help someone belong, let them know that you think they are okay.
But it goes beyond that.
Because the original word means literally
to take to your self.
It means
to take someone as a companion.
It means to take someone by the hand and lead them.
It means to take them into your home.
It means to take them as friends.
It means to grant them access
to your heart.
All that
in just one word.
That’s what Christ has done for us.
Christ has taken us
to himself.
Christ has taken us as his companions.
Christ has taken us
by the hand and led us.
Christ has taken us
into his home.
Christ has taken us as his friends.
Christ has granted us
access
to his heart.
And Paul calls, God calls, the church in Rome,
and the church in St James
to follow Christ's example.
To take one another
to ourselves.
To take one another as companions.
To take one another by the hand and lead each other.
To take one another into our homes.
To take one another as friends.
To grant one another access
to our hearts.
Imagine
if we all did that.
Imagine if
our church
were truly a place
where we accepted one another.
Where we welcomed one another.
Where our need for approval
was met.
Of course
if we want to be on the receiving end of that
we need to be giving it.
Our focus should be
not so much on receiving acceptance
as giving it.
Because you know how it is: what goes around comes around.
If we all get busy actively welcoming one another,
we’ll inevitably find ourselves welcomed and accepted.
But as Christians, our focus shouldn’t be on receiving, but on giving.
Now Paul is not just a crazy idealist. He knows that it’s hard. He’s speaking to a church
where people are divided.
There are rich and poor. Slaves and masters. People who converted from Judaism and people who converted from pagan religions. Roman citizens. Immigrants.
Paul has no illusions. He knows it will be hard.
And so he advises, a little earlier in the chapter we read from,
“We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor.”
In other words,
they are to let go of their own issues, their own needs, and to reach out to one another,
to welcome one another, to accept one another
as part of the body of Christ.
Even though they are divided.
And it’s the same for us.
Irrespective of our differences,
whether we have more money or less,
whether we have been here years or just a few months.
Whether we have young children or are grandparents.
We are to let go of our own issues, our own needs, and to reach out to one another,
to welcome one another, to accept one another
as part of the body of Christ.
Of course, it’s hard. Especially since some people
are harder than others
to welcome and accept.
But if our focus is not on ourselves and feeling good in this process,
but on the other person,
then it becomes easier.
So let’s get down to practical things. How do we do it?
One way
might be to think of the person
who you know the least well here at church.
And reach out to them.
Find a way
to express to them
in some tangible way
that you want to welcome them accept them, take them
to yourself.
It might begin
after church.
Instead of talking with your friends - because after all, you could always call them - instead of that, talk to someone
you don’t know so well.
Find out about them.
See what you have in common - at the very least, you have church.
Maybe even do what Paul suggests. Invite them to your home.
And see what happens.
And then, take it up a notch. Think of the person
who perhaps irritates you. Who rubs you up the wrong way.
And try it with them.
Reach out to them.
Find a way
to express to them
in some tangible way
that you want to welcome them accept them, take them
to yourself.
It might begin
after church.
Instead of talking with your friends - instead of that, talk to that person.
Find out about them.
See what you have in common - at the very least, you have church.
Maybe even do what Paul suggests. Invite them to your home.
And see what happens.
Imagine
if we all did that.
Or at least tried.
Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Amen.
© Raewynne J. Whiteley 2010