Thus says the Lord: These I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.
A house of prayer for all peoples.
There is no Jew or Greek, male or female, slave or free.
All are welcome and all means ALL.
Each of these statements says the same thing. In God’s house there is no differentiation between persons regardless of all the things that differentiate us outside of the sanctuary. Time and again in scripture God says, “All of you are my beloved children. All of you are welcome in my family. I sent my beloved son for all of you.”
And the people responded with, “Yes, God. Absolutely, all are welcome. But . . . Women can’t enter the Temple.
Men who have been castrated cannot enter the Temple.
Believers who are not circumcised cannot enter the Temple.
Known sinners cannot enter.
Women cannot preach.
Black people have to sit in the balcony.
Communion is only available to members of this congregation.
Lesbian and Gay people can show up, but they cannot participate in leadership.
All are welcome, but we are not equipped for wheelchairs, or deafness, or blindness or people with mental health issues who might disrupt worship.
All are welcome, but worship is in English only (or Spanish only or Korean only or some other language only). . .”
And God said, “What part of ALL are you people having trouble with?”
Loving God, we just don’t do “all” very well. We want to, honestly, but we aren’t very good at it. May we go forward to find ways in our hearts and our buildings to make certain all of your beloved children are welcome in your house. Amen.
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