Claimed, gathered and sent

Here are some thoughts on Sunday's gospel. This was sent out to the people of S t. Timothy Lutheran Church, Bemus Point, NY. Gospel: Matthew 10:40-42 [Jesus said to the twelve:] 40 “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; 42 and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” Yesterday, when Ray and I were reading from 30-Day Journey with Dietrich Bonhoeffer , the book we’re reading for our Adult Study session, I came across these words that hit me like a ton of bricks. See what they say to you regarding this gospel passage. “The exclusion of the weak and insignificant, the seemingly useless people, from everyday Christian life...