Rev. Barb’s Musing

(I adapted this musing from a Facebook page post)

The pastor says they sit front and center. The gay boys. Sometimes they hold hands. And some folks have said the issues  should be addressed. But the pastor remains silent.

And then there’s the man who sneaks in the back door. Fresh off the street. After the service starts. And leaves before the altar call. The people sitting close complain about how bad he smells. Of beer and smoke and sweat. But the pastor remains silent.

And then there’s the young mama who wears dirty skin and lets her four children come in and eat all the donuts and drink all the watered-down juice. Some church staff say they “…eat like little pigs. Like they haven’t eaten in weeks.” While the mama just stands there and lets them. And the elders say something must be done and said. But the pastor remains silent.

And there’s the whore sitting among the faithful. And everybody knows her. She sits with a painted-up face, cheap perfume, and a broken heart. And those who sit close, well, they all treat her for what they think she is. And at the last staff meeting, her name came up. Something must be done about her. But the pastor remains silent.

And finally the pastor speaks…….

“Welcome to Church. This is a place of love and hope and safety and forgiveness. We will be food for the hungry. Living water for the thirsty. We are so glad you are here. You are invited. You are loved. Come on in—we’ve been waiting on you. Welcome here. We are the church.”

To the called and to the called-out. To the leaders and the greeters. To the dirty and the clean. We are all the same. We are.

May we blow the dust of religion, by laws, self righteousness and dogma out of our souls and choose compassion instead.

May our words and actions and reactions be a sanctuary for all.

Jesus broke many laws to love. So, let the words and teachings of Jesus be our voice. Be the only words we speak.

May it be so!

Barb

Rev. Dr. Barb E. Blom