"Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me" Matthew 10:40-42

Matthew 10:40-42

We pick up the story of this week's gospel reading at the end of the lengthy missionary discourse that Jesus gives his disciples early in his ministry. Thematically however it is a continuation of the Great Commission of Matthew 28 from last week.

So also, a continuation of the thinking from last week's reflections where I gave encouragement for us "... to continue doing what we are already doing (at our stations) ... showing people Jesus by our actions, through the way we relate to each other, through our manner of serving others."

This reading challenges us to revisit the way that we welcome people into our school community. How do we rate our customer service? Is the customer king? Most of us would probably have had a negative experience in a business setting where we walk into the primary public interface space front office / foyer / sales or checkout area and the employees of the organization continue having their own conversation about what they did on the weekend or some other work un-related distraction, oblivious to the presence of a "customer".

Our attention to the fine detail of customer service is just another way that we show people Jesus in a school setting. "Anyone one who welcomes you welcomes me." Jesus said.

Generally our front-line personnel in Lutheran school reception areas are highly skilled at extending hospitality to visitors, making them feel valued, making them feel welcome. As one who visits many schools, usually 2 or 3 every week, we notice! One thing that stands out to us from the LSA Office, is being greeted by name (without the greeter needing to read our name tags). It is a great personal touch and we commend those people who have "done their home work" sufficiently to know who we are, when we are coming and able to put a name to a face and therefore be highly welcoming.

Here are some other similar expressions of welcoming that we can reflect on ... 

Do we make a special effort to make conversation with the new relief teacher  or visiting student teacher sitting alone at a table in the staff room at lunch time?

As we pass through the busy reception area do we enquire after the visitor who is obviously waiting, if they have been attended to?

On duty in the front car-park area, do we take the opportunity to make ourselves known to an unknown parent who passes close by and makes eye contact with us?

Do we hide in the next aisle of the super-market when we happen to spot a parent or student who is also on shopping duty?

Do we take extra care and pay special attention to the new, lonely or marginalized student/s in our community?

Communicating the Christian faith in its simplest form is expressed daily in life! We are sent forth in Jesus name to be Jesus and to show Jesus to those around us.

Blessings,

Nev
Gospel reading for Sunday 26th June 2011