Family Reunions

Matthew 12:46-50

While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, "Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you." But to the one who had told him this, Jesus replied, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?" And pointing to his disciples, he said, "Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother."

Summer is often the season of family reunions. Travel is usually a bit smoother and children are out of school. Family reunions can include alot of people, so the ability to gather, eat and play outdoors is a huge benefit. It can be interesting to connect with aunts, uncles, cousins...distant relatives who are not part of your every day life. Stories are shared...some new and some old. Connections are made that normally are not possible. We learn new things...sometimes very fascinating ...things about our relatives. In the best cases, reunions can re-establish relationships that have been stretched thin by time, space or lack of communication.

Reunions -- when our common thread...the thread of our heritage and our shared ancestry...is the binding force. That common thread is the reason for the gathering. It is the root criteria for the invitation to the gathering that supercedes place of residence, specific interests or abilities, gender or age.

Every Sunday is a reunion for the children of God, the family of faith. When you are in worship, look into the eyes of people you don't know well, or even those with whom you have had disagreements...and appreciate the beauty of that person as one who has been formed, molded and claimed by God....just like you! This is a reunion that gathers us in from all places however and whomever we are. It is one where the source of our being imparts whatever it is that we need most for renewal and direction on the path of wisdom.

We come together to be with each other as we seek the fellowship of the community of saints. Whether we are singing, praying, listening or eating together, it is in a wide open space that is embraced and contained by the love of a compassionate, forgiving God.

These people, these ones who do the will of the Father (worship the Lord, honor the Sabbath, serve others) are your family.

Welcome to the reunion!