"Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me...whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple-truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward. (Holy Gospel)" The Homily today calls on you to ponder what being a true follower of Christ is like. Deacon Thompson spoke of a homeless man in Nashville at a Mass he attended in which he had the ability to choose to be the hands and feet of our Lord, or to ignore the gentleman and act as if he didn't exist. Deacon Thompson also shared and experience at another Episcopal Church in East TN where only the priest said hello and the only other words spoken were excuse me as he stood in front of the coffee. How sad is it that church doesn't show enough of the love of Christ? Our Baptismal Covenant calls on us firmly to love and serve Christ in all persons. So, who are the least of these, or the little ones? They are you and I, no matter our age, race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other barrier that people use to separate ourselves from one another. In closing we are called to serve Christ truly in one another this week to see what fruits of the Spirit we encounter. Collect:
Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
(1st Reading Jeremiah 28:5-9, Psalm 89:1-4, 15-18, 2nd Reading Romans 6:12-23, Holy Gospel Matthew 10:40-42)
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