I have been meditating on the word “welcome” this month. Jesus, before sending his disciples off on their own, uses it six times in two sentences, so I thought it worthy of some reflection.* And for all of my theological contemplation, I realized that there is nothing that has made me understand welcome better than the dog I adopted last November, a 55-pound English Bulldog mix named Phyllis who gleefully rolls over for a belly rub from her very favorite people, which is roughly 99.99% of people. Phyllis is never not completely elated to see you – yes, you! You may have never met her before, but you are a friend now, and she is SO DELIGHTED that you are here.
As if Phyllis alone wasn’t the most glorious gift of welcome in my life, she has also connected me to a wonderful community of fellow dog parents in the apartment building I moved into last summer. On a recent beautiful Sunday afternoon, one couple texted that they were planning to grill dinner on our communal patio and wondered if anyone else wanted to join. A few hours later, we had a potluck with 22 people, a veritable feast of food and drink and laughter and joy. It is a warm, caring, neighborly community, and I feel unbelievably lucky to have found it.
I think it is not a coincidence that they are all dog people. When we feel truly welcome, it is a joy to welcome others. I think this is why Jesus is making such a big deal out of it for his disciples. As they experience welcome out on the road, they will be transformed into people of welcome, who will carry the good news of God’s welcome with them wherever they go.
Where, or with whom, have you experienced true welcome? Who will you welcome in return?
- Erica Lloyd, Seekers Church
For More...
“In hospitality, we respond to the welcome that God has offered and replicate that welcome in the world.” If you are interested in reflecting further on God’s radical hospitality, Becoming a Person of Welcome by Laura Baghdassarian Murray is worth a read (note: it uses gendered language for God).
