Welcoming the "Other"

Dear Friends in Christ,

This past weekend Cindy and I took advantage of a couple of days off and went away for a couple of days to our favorite place to retreat from the world; to walk on the beach, hike the hills, contemplate the ocean, and enjoy the view, which we can do sitting on our balcony, around one of the many fireplaces, lounging in an Adirondack chair, or from a clifftop bluffs. I was looking forward to some peace and quiet, but as it turned out, our room was adjacent to the conference room which was occupied by a group of young people. While they were neither loud nor obnoxious, even the normal laughter and chatter of young people sharing ideas and participating in activities, intruded on the peace and quiet I so badly craved and I found myself feeling cranky and irritated by their presence.

Until later that evening, when we went to sit around the fireplace and found some of the group gathered there and got talking about why they were there. Turned out this group of 20-somethings all worked for, and in many cases ran, various nonprofits that worked with disadvantaged and at-risk youth.  Knowing why they were there, hearing their stories, seeing their passion for the work they did, witnessing their enthusiasm at being together, sharing ideas and resources, finding connection and support, helped me get over my irritation. Instead, I became excited and enthusiastic about their gathering, impressed with their dedication and commitment to improving their communities and making the world a better place.

This Sunday’s Gospel is all about welcoming people, not just being friendly and allowing others to join in, but really and truly seeing and accepting them for who they are, receiving their presence among us as a gift, making space for them to be their true selves and allowing ourselves to be changed by their presence among us.

At a time when our country, our world remains still so deeply divided and hostile to people who don’t look think, or behave the way we think they should this encounter it is more important than ever to take the time to get to know one another, to listen to each other’s stories, to find a point of compassion that we relate to, because it is by understanding that we are more alike than not, that we all want a better world for ourselves and our loved one, that we will heal division, overcome differences and achieve the healing and reconciliation that is the work of the Church.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Jane+

Saint Anna