Welcome - Hospitality

From Rev Sue Ann Yarbrough

Hello Everyone,  
I pray this note finds you and those you love and serve doing well.  You continue to be in our daily prayers.   I want to let you know that the board of SpiritCare has decided that we should move to a Zoom platform by September, and I have talked to a few of you about this possibility.  While I am certainly far from  the most technological informed person, I do have some experience with Zoom, and I know it to be an effective tool for helping people  draw closer together in these times of physical distancing. 

​I look forward to talking with you sometime after the 4th of July weekend.  Also, just a reminder if any of your residents or family members need someone to talk to, I would consider it a blessing to take part in that conversation.  I am grateful for the work that you do, and I hope that you are taking regular Sabbath time to rest.

Scripture: Matthew 10: 40-42  
“Anyone who welcomes you, welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.  Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”  

Photo by Rev Sue Ann Yarbrough

Meditation
Earlier this month we looked at the story of Sarah and Abraham who offered three travelers hospitality in the desert (Genesis 18:1-5).  These travelers turned out to have a divine message for them both.  Today's reading reminds us again of the importance of hospitality - that when we welcome one another, we are actually welcoming the Christ within each of us.   When St. Benedict, who lived in 6th century Italy,  created his rule for his monastery, a porter was assigned to answer the door with attention and respect.  This responsibility was not left to chance and possible distraction.  How we greet and treat one another matters, and sometimes those who aggravate us the most often have the most to teach us.  That has happened to me several times, and when it occurs, I am both humbled and grateful that my ego did not get in the way of welcoming the the teaching that God wanted to share with me through another person.  It is no surprise that St. Benedict's Rule is still followed today.  ​

Welcoming the Christ among us requires that we always are opening the doors of our heart.  We all struggle with that at times, but fortunately, we have been given the gifts of prayer and meditation.  We can always practice by repeating, "Welcome, Lord Jesus.  Be my guest."  Remember, there is always a teaching in every moment for us.  What are we learning?  To love God with all our hearts, our souls, and our minds, and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39).

Prayer  
Come, Lord Jesus, be with us.  We open our hearts to your teachings.  We open our hearts to your love.  We open our hearts to our neighbors.  We know sometimes we fail at offering hospitality to all.  We thank you for your forgiveness.  Today, and every day we will try again to be the welcoming hosts you call us to be.  We thank you for your steadfastness, even when we falter.  You know these are not easy times for us, and we are grateful for your care.  Thank you for answering our invitation to come and be with us.  Our hearts are humbled and our spirits are grateful. Amen.  
​
Rev. Sue Ann Yarbrough
Associate Pastor, San Lorenzo Community Church, United Church of Christ
SpiritCare Ministry to Seniors
www.hearthpsalms.blogspot.com 

​P.S.  Even when we move to a Zoom platform, I plan to continue sending  a weekly meditation.