In the church I currently serve, we celebrate communion on the first Sunday of the month. Everytime we celebrate communion I always conclude the meditation and the Words of Institution with an invitation to the talbe that includes the following: Come to the table because this is God's table. It's not the table of this congregation or this denomination, but God's. Because of that you all are welcome here.
Some of my church members think that I just like to repeat myself. But I say this for theological reasons. All too often churches like to put up boundries to participation in the full life of the church: membership requirements, approval by the pastor, counsel/boards, reciting certain creeds/belief statements, etc. While these are more formal reasons that churches bar people from full participation in all aspects of the church, there are informal ways of keeping people from full participation: unwelcoming, rumor mills, creative ways of making sure people are not included in the life of the church, etc.
Because communion is a central practice in the life of Christianity, I believe that it is important to remember each time it is celebrated who is inviting us to celebrate and remember. Jesus invites those gathered in the upper room to participate. Communities have transformed that invitation to meet their own understandings and practices and over time traditions formed.
I choose believe in the radical hospitality of Jesus to the table. I believe that Jesus' life and ministry set the example of welcoming everyone to the table. Although Jesus might have had a few things to say about people coming and that some might have an easier time than others of getting the teachings of Jesus, he didn't tell people that they couldn't come and participate.
My theology of radical hospitality goes back to the belief that God is calling all of creation to participate in God's love and generosity. As clergy I don't believe that I have the right to turn anyone away. I may not agree with someone, I may not like everything they do but they are just as welcome at God's table as I am because the invitation comes from someone bigger than me - God. This is a message that I believe is important that we remember. It's important that we share this message of welcome versus one of shame, guilt and being of a certain worth.
Some of my church members think that I just like to repeat myself. But I say this for theological reasons. All too often churches like to put up boundries to participation in the full life of the church: membership requirements, approval by the pastor, counsel/boards, reciting certain creeds/belief statements, etc. While these are more formal reasons that churches bar people from full participation in all aspects of the church, there are informal ways of keeping people from full participation: unwelcoming, rumor mills, creative ways of making sure people are not included in the life of the church, etc.
Because communion is a central practice in the life of Christianity, I believe that it is important to remember each time it is celebrated who is inviting us to celebrate and remember. Jesus invites those gathered in the upper room to participate. Communities have transformed that invitation to meet their own understandings and practices and over time traditions formed.
I choose believe in the radical hospitality of Jesus to the table. I believe that Jesus' life and ministry set the example of welcoming everyone to the table. Although Jesus might have had a few things to say about people coming and that some might have an easier time than others of getting the teachings of Jesus, he didn't tell people that they couldn't come and participate.
My theology of radical hospitality goes back to the belief that God is calling all of creation to participate in God's love and generosity. As clergy I don't believe that I have the right to turn anyone away. I may not agree with someone, I may not like everything they do but they are just as welcome at God's table as I am because the invitation comes from someone bigger than me - God. This is a message that I believe is important that we remember. It's important that we share this message of welcome versus one of shame, guilt and being of a certain worth.
Comments
Post a Comment