Sunday, June 14, 2026
Sunday Reflection: Is this a good place?
In Matthew 9, Jesus teaches us this:
11Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. 12As you enter the house, greet it. 13If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it; but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town. 15Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.
It's one of those teachings that goes to a familiar problem: Most of us know that it is like to go to a place where we feel unwelcome. It's pretty good advice, too: Just leave. Don't argue with the people or hope they change, just leave. Of course, there was more going on there, but I do like that part of the lesson.
There are times people do stay in a place where they are unwelcome. In part, it is stasis-- it's hard to change your life. Sometimes it is fear that keeps them there, fear of the unknown.
In Minnesota, we have seen an influx of people who were unwelcome in the place they came from, and I think they find a better place once they arrive. And that is a part of the lesson, too: Do not be that unwelcoming, unloving place.
