Mtr Mary Trainor

Dear friend,

I changed cars recently. Such an activity invokes chaos similar to the chaos of changing states and homes, which I also did recently.

Often things are lost in the process. Sometimes things are found.

Such was the case when I came across a leftover bumper sticker in the last box to be unpacked from California. Now that I have an unadorned bumper, I considered what to do. Pro: I’m okay with a bumper sticker if it proclaims something I truly support. Con: I’m not okay with a bumper sticker if I think the message is at all “iffy.”

The bumper sticker in question? “The Episcopal Church welcomes you.”

“Welcome” seems a benign enough concept. Easy to support and seemingly not iffy. Until the very idea that it might be “all-inclusive” turns a bunch of churchgoers against you. Take, for example, our Office reading from Luke (4:14-30.)

The wilderness experience behind him, Jesus makes the rounds of synagogues in Galilee. He is now in Nazareth, in his hometown synagogue.

Reading from Isaiah, Jesus proclaimed good news for the poor, release for the captives, sight for the blind, freedom for the oppressed. And then added: “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

The hometown crowd was perfectly happy to see Jesus, Joseph’s son, all grown up. But that last thing he said presumed too much. “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing!” Did they hear him correctly?

Then the reunion took a dangerous turn: Jesus cited scripture in which God favored the ”other,” the enemy, people who usually did not receive favor—and were not supposed to in the eyes of this churchgoing crowd. Enraged, they sought to kill Jesus, but he walked through their midst to safety.

Nothing is more maddening than someone getting a reward they don’t deserve, at least to some. Or being included where they’re not welcome. Or being fed with food they couldn’t pay for. Or being healed just because it’s merciful, or...

The One we follow sets a pretty high bar for love and inclusion. The One we follow says we are to feed, to visit, to tend, to forgive, to welcome.

“The Episcopal Church welcomes you.”
I fell in love with the Episcopal Church years ago for what someone termed “its costly openness.”  It is willing to pay the price for trying to reach that high bar set by Jesus. The Church-large and individual congregations strive to live out this costly openness every day. Some days are better than others. But even when we fall short, we pick ourselves up and strain toward that bar again.

“The Episcopal Church welcomes you.”
Can I support it? Is it “iffy?” Can I put that bumper sticker on my vehicle in good conscience? Next time you’re in the parking lot, check it out.

Mtr. Mary
...while Fr. Peter Helman is on pilgrimage.