Peace

"The kingdom of God has come near to you," Luke 10:9.

That was the message. Whose message? Jesus'. By whom was the message delivered? By Jesus' messengers. And to whom? To the cities on Jesus' way ahead. Jesus' message went out to the places that welcomed Jesus' messengers, and to the places that didn't. Same message. Different results. No matter. God's kingdom came by, right there, we could reach out and touch it. Get on board with it, or not. No excuses later that nobody knew. That nobody had a chance. What rot. But wait! what about that one God-forsaken village that never heard the message? First, God didn't forsake it, our ignorance doesn't define God's work. Second, the message went out. Third, God will take care of that village. But here's the deal: God's kingdom came near to us - so what are we - we!- going to do with it?

We welcome a brother or sister today, and we bless each other with the Lord's peace infusing his kingdom. And, together, we give thanks for the saving message that has come near. Sky kingdom.