Welcome Him

Reading: Acts 9: 1-20

The conversion of Paul is at the same time the conversion of the entire Christian community.  For no sooner had Paul been transformed on the road to Damascus that God comes to Ananias encouraging him to welcome Paul into the community.  Ananias at first argues with God, saying they cannot welcome an enemy who has killed so many Christians into their company.  But God persists in urging Ananias and the larger Christian church to welcome this man into their ranks.

How often does God challenge us to welcome others into the family of believers! And how often do we fail! The parish that refuses to welcome and care for migrants in their midst.  The Christian who cannot abide the presence of another person due to political differences.  And we have not been asked to welcome one who murdered our own members!  Today's reading is an ever present challenge to the church to welcome.

Yesterday the Church elected a new pope, and right away the knives came out from all circles to dissect his life and see if he is "one of us." We are asked to welcome him, and indeed Pope Leo XIV invited us to welcome others with the message of peace that Jesus had brought to us.  We are to build bridges with all people, not just the ones we are comfortable with.  Today we are urged to welcome Paul, to welcome Leo, and to welcome all we meet with love.