SENDING AND WELCOMING

PRAYER MOMENT             

Thursday, 15 May 2014

SENDING AND WELCOMING

Pause. Be present at the last supper of Jesus and his disciples.

Reading: “Whoever welcomes the one I send welcomes me, and who ever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.” (John 13:16-20)

Reflection. The dynamism of the Acts of the Apostles moves rapidly from Peter, who dominates the early chapters and is associated in the first place with the mission to the Jews, to Paul, who takes over the remainder of the book and whose mission is to the gentiles. There is a sense of energy, urgency and movement and the underlying motif is the saying of Jesus we have today about sending and welcoming. The mission of the early church flows from the events of Holy Week, the Paschal Mystery, and the sending and welcoming continues to today. We are sent, whoever we are and whatever our calling. We are also all welcomers. In my recent trip to Nigeria that word “welcome” seemed to be on everyone’ lips all the time! It is a beautiful word. It applies to everything in our day. God is present through the people he sends and when we welcome them we welcome Jesus and the One who sent him.

Prayer. Lord, help us to welcome you in the people and events of our day. And help us to hera your gentle voice sending us. Amen.

David Harold-Barry SJ