June 28, 2026
- Jeremiah 28:5-9
- Psalm 89:1-4,15-18
- Romans 6:12-23
- Matthew 10:40-42
Who welcomed you into the faith? (Think about that person for a moment.)
At some point in your life, for one reason or another, you began looking for a place to belong. Somehow, out of all the churches in Louisville, you ended up here. More importantly, what keeps you coming back?
Is it because we agree on everything?
Is it because everyone is so nice and friendly?
Is it because of your family?
It could be a number of things, but underneath all of them is something deeper: somewhere along the way, you discovered that you belonged, or hoped you might.
Our Gospel today begins to answer that question. Jesus paints a beautiful picture of a long chain of welcome, and we are part of it. Jesus tells the disciples, “Whoever welcomes you, welcomes me; whoever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me.” The chain of these countless welcomes in Christ’s name reached us, and we reach back to Christ and even to God the Father who sent him.
Our faith in God through Jesus Christ is demonstrated not merely by what we believe, but by whom we trust, serve, and welcome. Meaning, our individual faith in God can’t be separated from relationships with each other. None of us comes to Christ alone. Every Christian is standing at the end of a very long line of welcome.
Someone invited us.
Someone taught us.
Someone forgave us.
Someone made room for us.
Someone stayed patient with us.
That’s exactly what Jesus is describing.
Love is the thread that weaves faith and community into one life. Church is something like a dojo. We don’t come because we’ve mastered love, but because we are here to practice it together. Together, we learn to love one another as Christ first loved us. And real love begins after the honeymoon is over.
As I studied today’s passages, I couldn’t help but remember my naturalization ceremony in 2018. So many of you were present at the oath ceremony. That day, when I raised my hand to take the oath, you welcomed fellow immigrants and me to join you. Much like that, you welcomed my father — with grace rather than resentment. You could have held a grudge from the past, but you did not. Instead, you chose peace, giving me freedom.
That day I realized something profound. Becoming an American wasn’t something I accomplished alone. I was welcomed. You stood beside me. You celebrated with me. You helped make this country my home.
Isn’t that what the Church has always done?
Every one of us is here because someone made room.
Someone welcomed us.
They didn’t simply make room for us in a pew.
They made room for us in their lives.
Someone saw Christ in us before we could see Christ in ourselves.
And now Jesus places that same calling into our hands.
“Whoever welcomes you welcomes me.”
The chain doesn’t end with us.
It continues through us.
So here is the question Jesus leaves with us today:
Whom will we welcome this week in Christ’s name?
Amen.
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