All through Eastertide the risen Christ invites us to follow him. In his actions and words, he shows us how what that means, how to live as Christians. In today’s gospel he calls us to be open and welcoming:
“I tell you most solemnly, whoever welcomes the one I send welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.”
His words are, of course, a call to open our hearts and welcome him into our lives. It’s a call to allow him to allow him to form us in his image.
But that’s only one part of the call to be welcoming. There’s another aspect to it. He calls us to be open to the circumstances we find ourselves in. He speaks these words at the last supper, already aware that Judas is about to betray him.
In that painful and frightening situation, he doesn’t run away. Instead, trusting in his Father, he opens himself to welcome this most painful situation, accepting all that it brings.
He shows us that even in the most challenging, painful and unlikely of circumstances we can open our hearts to Christ. He challenges us to welcome the painful situations we face. He asks us to welcome him in to even the darkest areas of our lives, and allow him to be there with us.
There’s also more to it than that. It’s a call to be open to others, to offer them the same welcome and acceptance that we would to Christ. Even, and maybe especially, when we find them challenging.
Where is the risen Christ inviting you to be open to this Eastertide?