Text: Mathew 10:40-42

“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.”

In the name of the one holy and undivided Trinity. Amen

St. Margaret’s is one of thousands of Episcopal churches in the world that has a weekly celebration on Sundays. Everybody is welcome to join and participate with us in the celebration. That is, all are welcome to be in fellowship and share our Eucharist meal, which is our celebration of the real presence of Jesus Christ among us at the altar. Today, as baptized Christians, we have been commissioned to serve as both the next generation of emissaries of Jesus to proclaim and positively respond to proclamation of the Gospel. The blessings that await us are immeasurable as God’s gift of love for us. Jesus reassures us in Matthew’s gospel that, “whoever gives even a cup of water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” (Matt. 10:42, NRSV)

We are all called to serve as emissaries of Christ in our churches, homes, schools, places of employment and everywhere we go. We are called to be the reflection of Jesus because Christ’s dwelling place is within our hearts. It is no small task to be an ambassador for Christ in this world. Jesus knew his great commission would not be easy for the twelve disciples or for us. You recall, Jesus outlined specific instructions and explained there is a cost for discipleship. For instance, one price maybe rejection for disciples who would become apostles. During Jesus’ time, finding suitable lodging was a challenge. Lodging was expensive and conditions of the local inns were poor. Besides that, not everyone would welcome disciples. On their travels, they may encounter people who were not ready to accept their life-changing message or be willing to share in the work of spreading the love and blessings of God to others. This brings to mind a story I read about giving and receiving:

In 1884, grief stricken parents of a young man, who died suddenly while visiting Europe, wanted to establish a memorial to honor their devote son. They were proud of their son and they wanted to establish a memorial to assist other young men who were like their boy. The parents decided to visit Harvard University president, Charles Eliot to discuss plans for establishing a memorial at the University. In a disdainful manner,

President Eliot’s suggestion to the apparently poor couple was to establish a scholarship. The mother inquired about the cost of the buildings at Harvard. Eliot rather indifferently shrugged replying, “Several million dollars!” The bereaved couple got up and left the office. The next year, President Eliot discovered that the plain-looking couple he met contributed $26,000,000 for a memorial in honor of their son. Guess what, this memorial was established as Leland Stanford, Jr. University. Harvard University missed the opportunity of providing something new and progressive to the academic world due to Eliot’s inhospitable manner to the two strangers who visited him in his office that day. Progression can happen when one opens the door with a hospitable welcome to strangers. (copied and adapted from Hospitality by Edward Chinn in The Wonder of Words, Ohio: C.S.S. Publishing Co, 1985, p.45)

Jesus knew that for his purpose and message to bear fruit, hospitality was going to play a critical part of the Church’s mission. Those individuals who opened their door with hospitality, who received a new way of life, and who carried out the mission of Jesus would also be rewarded with the blessings and gifts of God. We can find in the New Testament many examples where the apostles were blessed by hospitality from strangers. These hospitable strangers, in turn, took an active part in the building of the early church along with the disciples. I want to point out that the original translation of the scripture reads, “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” (Matt 10: 40, KJV)

We are called to use our gifts as a witness of the presence of God in the world to maintain and carry out the mission of the Church. I believe the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi reminds us of our call to discipleship. Daily we have the opportunity to serve as vessels for Jesus by using our various gifts as a peace bearer in the world. We can use our unique gifts to collectively sow love where we see hatred; use our gifts to comfort an injured soul; use our gifts to build unity to replace discord; use our gifts to share our faith with others where there is doubt; and use our gifts to give hope where there is despair. We are called to be beacons of light for those lost in tunnels of darkness. We are called to use our gifts to love, to understand, and to console others instead of being the ones that are seeking love, seeking to be understood, or consoled. God gives us many gifts. How we use our gifts is our gift to God. Our gift to God is that we give joyfully as we are able. It is in giving that we receive. (copied and adapted, Book of Common Prayer, p. 833)

The ultimate reward for the disciples, those who welcomed them, and for us today is an eternal lifetime opportunity in the presence of God. Jesus’ mission was not going to be accomplished by his twelve disciples alone. Thus, for generation after generation the numbers of disciples have continued grow. Today, we through we baptism, we have the opportunity to be among those commissioned as disciples in the mission building business for the kingdom of God!

The familiar blue and white Episcopal Church sign often seen on the grounds of the church says, “The Episcopal Church Welcomes You.” The ministers of the Church, clergy and laity, are called to be in fellowship by supporting those who are new to the faith, “the little ones” Jesus calls them. We have new members as well as guests here at St. Margaret’s every Sunday. Here is a story. A man desperately tries to enter a synagogue during the High Holidays. The usher stops the man and says that only people with reserved seats can enter. “But it is a mater of life and death,” says the man. “I must speak to Mr. Shapiro—his wife has been taken to the hospital.” “All right,” says the usher,” you can go in. But don’t let me see catch you praying” (from First Things, Feb. 2008 in Synthesis, June 29, 2008)

We, as a Church are committed to extending a warm welcome and always receive others in fellowship on any given Sunday. We all have felt the need to find a way to fit in, learn the liturgy and the movement of the service so we can pray together as one voice in Christian fellowship. You will hear our rector say, “All are welcomed at St. Margaret’s!”

Jesus invites us to be both recipients and messengers of the proclamation of the gospel. When we offer one another food and drink in this house of God, we offer each other the gifts of life, which are the bread and wine of our shared Eucharist meal. (copied and adapted from Denys Turner, Faith Seeking, London: SCM Press, 2002), p 116-17.) We host this celebration every Sunday in remembrance of Jesus. St. Margaret’s invites everyone to have, yes a cup of water. That is, a cup of the “living water” and more in remembrance of Christ as Christian brothers and sisters in fellowship. This is one of our signs of hospitality. “Welcome!”

Amen