July 2, 2023 – Fifth Sunday after Pentecost (Proper 8)

Our Gospel reading this week is a fast one, so I’m going to start by reading it once more:

Jesus said, “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 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; 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.”

You might recall that last week’s Gospel had the charge to the disciples to “Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons” (Mt 10:8). The disciples are to act as envoys of Jesus, extending his ministry, proclaiming the same good news and performing the same works of healing that he is doing. Jesus’ further instructions make clear that the disciples are also to share in his poverty and homelessness, taking with them no money or extra clothing, and depending solely on the hospitality of others for shelter and sustenance (10:8b-13). They will not be welcomed everywhere (10:14-15), and they can expect to experience the same hostility Jesus often does, for he is sending them out “like sheep into the midst of wolves” (10:16). They can expect to encounter persecution and trials (10:17-23), for “a disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master” (10:24-25). They also need to be prepared for painful division within families, and to be willing to put Jesus’ mission above family loyalties (10:34-38). For all of this risk and suffering, Jesus promises, “those who lose their life for my sake will find it” (10:39).

In the ancient world, identity was tied to family and community. It was understood that in showing hospitality, one welcomed not just an individual, but implicitly, the community who sent the person and all that they represent. Therefore, welcoming a disciple of Jesus would mean receiving the very presence of Jesus himself and of the one who sent him, God the Father.

Sent by God, Jesus sends his disciples to participate in his mission of proclaiming in word and deed the good news of God’s kingdom drawing near. Matthew assumes that the church is a “sent” church, a missionary church (Matthew 28:18-20). There is simply no other way to be the church! This understanding is being recovered in our own day – mission is not just a program of the church; it is the defining purpose of everything the church does.

But what does it mean for us to be sent? To be clear, we aren’t all sent out to be wandering missionaries depending on others for shelter and food. But it doesn’t let us off the hook. In his response to the Supreme Court decisions this week, Presiding Bishop Michael Curry said, “Our mandate as followers of Jesus is clear: to create the Beloved Community by facing painful truths from our past, learning from them, and then turning and joining hands together to right wrongs and foster justice and healing. In so doing, we can be and build that community and world where there is truly liberty and justice for all. This is the work of love.” We are sent out into the world to tell and embody the good news of Jesus. All of us – ALL OF US – are sent to show Christ to others with humility and vulnerability, with a willingness to risk rejection.

So my friends, what would happen if we stopped expecting people to come on their own initiative through our church doors, and instead took seriously our calling to bring the gospel to others? What would happen if we truly believed that we bear Christ to EVERY person we encounter, in every home, in every workplace, in every neighborhood we enter? What would happen if we saw every conversation as an opportunity to speak words of grace, and every interaction as an opportunity to embody Christ’s love for our neighbor?

When we take the risk of reaching out, we may receive a positive response. Or we may not. But we may be surprised at how ready others are to receive our efforts. Because, through it all, we have Jesus’ promise: “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me.”