Reflection for Sunday, June 28, 2020
Scripture: “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.”
- Matthew 10:40-42
Reflection: “Actions speak louder…”
Jesus’ words from the gospel of Matthew speak volumes about welcome. We in Canada like to think we are a welcoming society. Our churches make a point of intentionally welcoming everyone to our communities of faith.
But as a society, and in smaller communities, we don’t always live up to our high ideals, do we? I believe that the evolution of social consciousness is a process – and it’s an uneven process. Our spiritual teachers and leaders have an important role to play in the unfolding of this process. Jesus came to teach us that the Way of Love is the only antidote to hate, prejudice and violence. The Way of Love is the way to peaceful, harmonious communities where all persons are respected, nurtured, and honoured for who they are: a unique and valued child of the Creator.
But pretty words don’t do it, do they? Yes, we need the national inquiries, the white papers and the political commitments – but all these words are just the start. In and of themselves they don’t change anything. Our people are crying out for change. We don’t all feel safe. We don’t all feel welcome. Those nice words don’t quench thirst like a real cup of cold water would. I know we can do better – those seeds have been planted in our hearts. We do know injustice when we see it. We have learned a lot in this process of spiritual evolution – now is the time to put what we have learned into action. And actions speak way louder!
This is my last Reflection in this series. The Rev. Gayle Chouinard takes over as the Minister of Texada United Church on July 1. Please welcome her with love and support as she navigates this difficult time and reaches out to all of you with the insights and skills she brings to this position.
It has been my pleasure and honour to serve this church and Texada in this capacity for more than a decade. I am looking forward to retirement in this community that I am so much a part of.
Please continue to watch the Texada Message Board and the Express Lines for notices regarding church reopening or other outreach efforts. I thank you all for your support and your friendship over the years. I look forward to seeing you all as things continue to open up. May the Peace of Christ be with you today and always.
Scripture: “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.”
- Matthew 10:40-42
Reflection: “Actions speak louder…”
Jesus’ words from the gospel of Matthew speak volumes about welcome. We in Canada like to think we are a welcoming society. Our churches make a point of intentionally welcoming everyone to our communities of faith.
But as a society, and in smaller communities, we don’t always live up to our high ideals, do we? I believe that the evolution of social consciousness is a process – and it’s an uneven process. Our spiritual teachers and leaders have an important role to play in the unfolding of this process. Jesus came to teach us that the Way of Love is the only antidote to hate, prejudice and violence. The Way of Love is the way to peaceful, harmonious communities where all persons are respected, nurtured, and honoured for who they are: a unique and valued child of the Creator.
But pretty words don’t do it, do they? Yes, we need the national inquiries, the white papers and the political commitments – but all these words are just the start. In and of themselves they don’t change anything. Our people are crying out for change. We don’t all feel safe. We don’t all feel welcome. Those nice words don’t quench thirst like a real cup of cold water would. I know we can do better – those seeds have been planted in our hearts. We do know injustice when we see it. We have learned a lot in this process of spiritual evolution – now is the time to put what we have learned into action. And actions speak way louder!
This is my last Reflection in this series. The Rev. Gayle Chouinard takes over as the Minister of Texada United Church on July 1. Please welcome her with love and support as she navigates this difficult time and reaches out to all of you with the insights and skills she brings to this position.
It has been my pleasure and honour to serve this church and Texada in this capacity for more than a decade. I am looking forward to retirement in this community that I am so much a part of.
Please continue to watch the Texada Message Board and the Express Lines for notices regarding church reopening or other outreach efforts. I thank you all for your support and your friendship over the years. I look forward to seeing you all as things continue to open up. May the Peace of Christ be with you today and always.
