2nd Sunday after Pentecost-Year A

That’s a lot of welcomes… but it just starts me thinking about ministry and what ministry looks like. Trying to define ministry is a fairly difficult thing. As part of the orientation for all staff at St. John’s Lutheran Ministries, we discuss how everyone is a minister in whatever they do. Ministry is not limited to the small pastoral care team at St. John’s. Ministry belongs in the hands of every single person on that campus. And of course, this idea is not limited to St. John’s or any particular business. It is a deep Christian belief.

Martin Luther tried to explain this concept too. Instead of believing that only priests and monks and nuns were of the spiritual order, he broke down the walls and considered all baptized believers as members of a universal priesthood. In other words, we are all priests to one another. We all share the word with one another, feed one another, and try to love one another. For Luther, a father changing a diaper was as holy as a monk uttering prayers.

And it would be fair to add, given Jesus’ words today, that as ministers we also welcome one another. How does it feel to know that you are ministers and priests in your lives every single day? Though I’m the one leading service and going to school to learn how to be a pastor, I need to you hear that you share in this ministry. You are ministers. We are all sharing the word, feeding, loving, and welcoming others. In every act of love we express, we are ministering to someone. Ministry is not limited.

But this welcoming that Jesus describes isn’t the easiest thing to do. Especially not given the way some businesses in our economy abuse the act of welcoming and turn it into potential profit. Businesses fly in potential partners 1st class, and take them out to expensive dinners, and make sure they feel welcomed. Hotels know every gimmick in the book with cookies at the front desk, fluffed pillows, and service at the touch of a button. Fine spas treat you to champagne at your arrival. Countless store clerks are eager to provide you assistance and ensure that you feel very welcome. And 5 star restaurants love to lavish you with attention.

And while being treated like kings and queens is certainly lovely, it also comes with a price. Literally, a high price tag. And though there may be some genuine motive buried within these lavish welcomes, there is an unspoken assumption that you will return the favor by paying generously. The act of welcoming has been turned into a business strategy. There is little ministry left in welcoming anyone anymore.

And yet, I wonder if Jesus has bought into this business model, too. After all, he promises us a reward if we welcome. Even if we give someone a glass of water. That’s motivation for sure. Even though Jesus doesn’t express what exactly this reward is, we expect that it would be generous. It’s Jesus after all, the one who gave his life so that our sins would be forgiven.

Then again, I’ve seen the Disney movie Aladdin several times and I can tell you that rewards are not always what you expect. Aladdin promises to go into the Cave of Wonders and fetch an old man the magical lamp that contains the genie. He has been promised countless treasure. As Aladdin hands the old man the lamp, he realizes the old man is actually the bad guy, Jafar. And in a really creepy voice, Jafar raises a threatening dagger and says he is giving Aladdin his reward, his eternal reward. And then he tries to kill him. So I’m just saying that not all rewards are the shiny treasure kind…

I’m also thinking of the “prophet’s reward” that Jesus mentions. Many prophets were killed by those they were trying to minister to. Things didn’t always end well for them. And our ultimate prophet, Jesus himself, was put to death on a cross. So if it’s that kind of reward that we’re getting for welcoming people, I’m going to have to rethink some things.

But where does that leave us? Being told that if we welcome, we will get our reward, but not knowing what exactly that promised reward is. Knowing that we will suffer and go through trials in Jesus’ name before this reward is ours is troubling.

But we’re not done exploring Jesus’ words just yet, as few as there are. We can look more closely at the word ‘reward.’ The Greek word implies that this reward is like a wage. Something given in response to an action or deed. It makes an action whole or complete. You work a day, you receive your pay. Case closed. In a sense, it is a very business like transaction.

And while definitions are helpful, it much more helpful to see them in context. To look at how Jesus uses this word. In one instance Jesus is talking about those who pray in the streets and do charitable works so that others can see. Jesus says that they’ve already received their reward. In other words, if you want to welcome people so that you’ll get praise and adoration for being such an amazing person, then that’s your reward. Case closed.

But then Jesus also uses this word in his parable about the workers in the vineyard. You know the one. The master hires a few workers at the beginning of the day… a few in the later morning, some more in the afternoon, and then a few right at the end of the day. Then they all get a full days wage. They all get the same reward despite how long or hard they worked.

Welcoming people in Christ’s name, supporting and loving each other, and being ministers to one another is not a job. It is not a competition. It is not a race. It is not a debt we are repaying. It is not a business partnership in which we must hold up our end of the deal.

That’s not how God works. We believe in a God of grace. A God who died on a cross for us. A God who resides with us in spirit today. So when we welcome others, we celebrate our God who first welcomed us. Not only at this table into this holy meal but into new life with one another in community. When we welcome others, we do so out of the love that Christ first showed us. When we welcome, we are ministering to the world.

We do so not to get some eternal reward, but out of thanks and joy and love and celebration. Out of motives that run deeper than money or treasure. Faith cannot be explained or rationalized. It must be felt. So welcome to the body of Christ all you baptized believers. Welcome all you ministers of the faith. Welcome into our community where we share God’s love by caring for all.

Amen. +

This entry was posted on Sunday, June 26th, 2011 at 10:12 am and is filed under Sermons. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

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