<\/p>\n
St Luke 9: 46 – 48<\/strong><\/p>\n An argument arose among them as to which one of them was the greatest. But Jesus, aware of their inner thoughts, took a little child and put it by his side, and said to them, \u2018Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me; for the least among all of you is the greatest.\u2019<\/p>\n Reflection<\/strong><\/p>\n The URC Children\u2019s and Youth Work theme for 2025 is \u201cAll Are Welcome\u201d, so it was inevitable when I saw this reading in the Daily Devotions that I\u2019d opt to write the reflection. I visited a church whilst on holiday some years ago and, when I casually mentioned my role in the URC, I was told \u201cWe don\u2019t have any children and we\u2019re not interested in having any children here\u201d. I wonder whether that church is still open. If this reading is to be believed, we should remember that children are not only the Church of the future but are already the Church of today. And to extend Jesus\u2019 meaning still further, to make children and those on the margins unwelcome in Jesus\u2019 name is perhaps to make Jesus himself unwelcome. Scary thought! <\/p>\n Because it\u2019s not always easy to recognise where we are truly welcome and where people may instead be left feeling like second-class citizens in God\u2019s kingdom. We sometimes carry on oblivious, thinking ourselves to be open but actually vying to get our own voices heard and neglecting to see those around us who are equally valued by God. It\u2019s a challenge to stop, look around us, and see who needs that welcome, that opportunity to have their voice heard, to teach and to learn together as an equal part of God\u2019s family. The thing is, we might have to change the way we do things. Change? Never! But yes, we might have to change – to listen more patiently, to use more approachable vocabulary and more lively songs, even to play and be creative alongside, to be intentional about being intergenerational. But how exciting to know that, in so doing, we are welcoming Jesus in our midst. <\/p>\n Prayer<\/strong><\/p>\n Jesus, are you sure I\u2019m not the greatest? St Luke 9: 46 – 48 An argument arose among them as to which one of them was the greatest. But Jesus, aware of their inner thoughts, took a little child and put it by his side, and said to them, \u2018Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me … <\/p>\n
I do the flowers, I\u2019m on the coffee rota.
I\u2019ve been coming here for years, even have my own pew.
I\u2019ve put plenty in the offertory..
I do my best.
Forgive me, Lord.
My best is not good enough when I don\u2019t welcome all;
When I put them down or undervalue them;
When I fail to seek you in each individual, no matter who they are,
Renew me, O God, and help me change. Amen <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"