Making people feel welcomed

Jesus defines his mission on earth in the words of today's gospel, ''I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.'' (John 14:1-6). He is at the centre of our journey to the Father and we are blessed we proclaim our faith in him. However a question arises. Every Wednesday afternoon when I go visiting migrants in Porirua with Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, every door we knock on is opened to us. We visit Catholics that we know and also those of other religions or of none. We are always invited in, but how can Jesus be the Way for those who don't know or believe in him? He himself gives us the answer in the same gospel. ''There are many rooms in my Father's house,'' There is room for all. God is like the elderly Maori woman who sings ''Nau mai, haere mai,'' to welcome us into community. Jesus knows and understands the life situation of every person and desires that each one finds a place in his Father's home. His way is to include, nor exclude, to unlock doors, not to shut them in our face. If Jesus is so generous and welcoming, should not our ''home'', community, church and country be as welcoming to all who are knocking on the door and especially to those just standing there looking, too timid to knock because they ae not sure if they will be invited in.
 
Don Hornsey
 
 
 

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