Inspiration

Doing the rounds on Facebook at the moment is the ‘welcome’ in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Community bulletin. I think this should be all churches welcome, why? Because everyone needs Jesus.

“We extend a special welcome to those who are single, married, divorced, gay, filthy rich, dirt poor, yo no habla Ingles. We extend a special welcome to those who are crying new-borns, skinny as a rail or could afford to lose a few pounds.

We welcome you if you can sing like Andrea Bocelli or like our pastor who can’t carry a note in a bucket. You’re welcome here if you’re “just browsing,” just woke up or just got out of jail. We don’t care if you’re more Catholic than the Pope, or haven’t been in church since little Joey’s Baptism.

We extend a special welcome to those who are over 60 but not grown up yet, and to teenagers who are growing up too fast. We welcome soccer moms, NASCAR dads, starving artists, tree-huggers, latte-sippers, vegetarians, junk-food eaters. We welcome those who are in recovery or still addicted. We welcome you if you’re having problems or you’re down in the dumps or if you don’t like “organized religion,” we’ve been there too.

If you blew all your offering money at the dog track, you’re welcome here. We offer a special welcome to those who think the earth is flat, work too hard, don’t work, can’t spell, or because grandma is in town and wanted to go to church.

We welcome those who are inked, pierced or both. We offer a special welcome to those who could use a prayer right now, had religion shoved down your throat as a kid or got lost in traffic and wound up here by mistake. We welcome tourists, seekers and doubters, bleeding hearts … and you!”

Have you seen the film- Salmon Fishing in the Yemen? I enjoyed it, with it’s quirky plot and beautiful Morrocan scenery. Ewan McGregor plays an interesting character, struggling with his marriage and job and beginning to question the issue of faith, as he starts an improbable project and encounters the Muslim faith of those around him.
At one point, whilst watching Yemeni tribesmen praying, he says-
“I don’t think I know anyone who goes to church. We go to Tesco on Sundays.”
I found this sad, is this how we are in Britain today? So lacking in people of faith that an average person doesn’t even know anyone who goes to church. We have a big job to do, being the salt and light in our communities and perhaps being the only person in our street or neighbourhood who does actually have a faith.
It makes our role all the more vital, make sure that those around you know about your faith. Stand out. be distinctive. Show God’s love.