A culture of welcome

We live our belief through the lens of our experience. Because of our past, we may find religion comforting or discomforting. We may find ritual affirming, or it may occur for us as a dreary grind. What we notice in our religious observance generally falls into categories, and we dwell on one aspect, which may be a different aspect than what someone else dwell on. In the simplest example, some people find in the risen Christ, the king and judge, and others find in Him the gentle friend. Some notice majesty; some notice radical humility.

I was very affected by my time in the Episcopal community through St. John the Divine. For many years, I was an usher for the congregation, and for the large important ceremonies, we would have an orientation. One topic that has stayed with me all these years was the head of security there discussing how to deal with potentially dangerous people. (In the years after 9/11/2001, the Cathedral was on the top ten list of potential bombing targets, so we were to be extra vigilant.)

Despite the potential for danger, we were urged to be mindful of our primary mission of welcome.

How amazing is that! First, we are to love and welcome. Always, we are to love and welcome the stranger and the friend.

But shouldn't that be obvious? Why does it need to be said at all? Because it doesn't happen everywhere all the time, not there, not anywhere.