It is November and Thanksgiving is coming. Yet this year, I’m filled with thanksgiving for one primary reason. Twenty years ago, I became a Lutheran right here at Christ Lutheran.
Like many young adults, I wondered and wandered in my journey with God. As I began to refocus my life with the help of friends, someone recommended I check-out this faith community. Coming from my Roman Catholic background, I found the theology sound and grace focused. The liturgical worship was familiar and like home to me. The music and preaching encouraged me to trust in God and rejoice. They didn’t just entertain. Yet among my greatest reasons to join the congregation was the people I found here – people willing to engage with the word, the world, and me.
Every seeker’s needs and ultimate experience will be different. Some might benefit from moving on, but they can still be blessed on their way. Others might find hope here and remain. Every visitor’s contact with us – no matter how short or seemingly insignificant – matters. For in welcoming them, we welcome Christ, and potential miracles lie before us. Lives can change for the better.
In Matthew 8, there was a centurion who desired to see his servant healed. Jesus responded that he would come to the centurion’s home to heal the servant. Understanding the honor this represented, the centurion protested, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; but only speak the word, and my servant will be healed.” With this sign of faith, the servant was declared immediately healed.
We might not be worthy of Christ entering our home (spiritual or otherwise), but Christ desires to come in anyway. Through our experiences in welcome and hospitality, we don’t just meet cultural expectations. We don’t just bring joy to others or ourselves. We are offered the opportunity to meet Christ in a new and vibrant way. Christ is seeking to do something new through our experiences with every visitor.
As we begin to see holiday visitors, I invite each and every one of us to recommit in our authentic, gracious welcome of people who are new to us. Make the time to welcome them with a heartfelt graciousness. Get to know them a bit. Let them know you. Open your hearts; vulnerably sharing your faith and struggles. Just as happened with me, you might prove just who the person needs to have their lives changed eternally. Also, in my experience since, you will likely find that welcoming Christ in others will bless you as well.
Originally published in the June 2019 newsletter of Christ Lutheran Church, Fredericksburg, VA.
© 2019 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author.
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