This week we are looking at this idea of the community of faith being inclusive rather than exclusive. Now before we get too far ahead of ourselves the context of this has to do with the fact that we create these cliques or clubs that isolate some as outsiders and others as insiders. In Jesus day the “in club” contained the religious elite, the Israelite. Jesus always seemed to cut across the grain of the club mentality as he engaged the woman at the well (the Samaritan), the tax collector, the leper, the paralytic, the blind beggar, and others offering them freely forgiveness, mercy, grace, compassion and love.

This has made me think about Family Empowerment Centers and the fact that we live life with our neighbors (neighbor defined as any individual who we come into contact with regardless of race, ethnicity, culture, language, etc…) in ways no one else does so that Christ is glorified, they feel valued and accepted, and their lives take on new meaning and purpose. And even now as I write this, I am faced with the reality of this.

Mike just came to the door of the Center and informed me that his brother had died on Monday of a drug overdose. Mike struggles to keep his life on the straight, we speak of Christ often but life is what it is for him. He asked if I had any way to help him get some nice clothes so he can go to the wake and funeral on Saturday. I had to pause. We don’t have a clothing closet at the Center. Yet, what does it mean for me to be a friend to my neighbor? What would I want to be done for me if I were in his shoes? What are the thoughts going through his mind regarding his value and worth? What would it mean for him to show up at the funeral with clean clothes? I wonder also, where else has he gone? What have others said to him? Who will be willing to help him? Who will live life with him in the context of this situation?

My conversation with Mike is not complete yet but he is here at the Center, I have the opportunity to respond, will I respond like Christ? Will I value him as one who is “in the club”? I must, we must.