June 29, 2008

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Seventh Sunday after Pentecost  

Please read

Matthew 10:40-42

Read also

Genesis 22:1-14
Psalm 13

Romans 6:12-23

"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."

Safe Sanctuary

It doesn’t take much to say “Welcome.”
A smile,

a hand extended,

a friendly word sincerely spoken.

A cup of cold water will do the job. 

It all depends upon the attitude

brought to the act. 

But prudence would dictate some reserve.

Strangers must be approached with caution

and disciples with great care.

You never can tell what they may have in mind. 

So keep your distance and keep up your guard.

Safe sanctuary demands

that all shall be properly vetted

before we extend the hand.

Funny thing! 

I don’t recall Jesus

ever calling for a background check

before he offered his hand

or called a disciple.

So, caught as I am

in this tug of war

between caution and caring,

I must cast my vote

and lend my weight

on the risky Jesus side.

---rvc