mySundaySermons

Matthew 10:40-42

40 “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; 42 and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple — truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”  [NRSA]

 

Title: The Reward of Communion and Welcome

Today we gather to commemorate one of the most sacred and profound traditions in the Christian faith – Holy Communion. It is an opportunity not only to remember the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross but also to acknowledge our shared membership in the Body of Christ. Our scripture for reflection today comes from the Gospel of Matthew 10:40-42.

This passage beautifully embodies the essence of communion. It is about welcome, it is about the acknowledgment of God’s work, it is about service, and, above all, it is about God’s love for us all.

How can such a small amount of bread and juice fill us? [Story of Luke’s friend who experienced a ‘small’ breakfast]

When we partake in communion, we are not merely consuming the bread and the juice, we are welcoming Jesus Christ into our hearts. Just as the passage tells us, when we welcome the disciples of Christ when we welcome the bearers of His message, we are welcoming Christ Himself, and through Him, we are welcoming the One who sent Him, our Almighty God.

Communion isn’t a passive observance, it is an active affirmation of our faith. We take part in it not just with our hands but with our hearts and spirits. And when we do this, we receive a reward. Not a physical reward but a spiritual one. We gain a deepening of faith, a strengthening of resolve, and a confirmation of our commitment to Christ’s path.

As followers of Christ, we must extend the same welcome we give to Jesus to our brothers and sisters in faith. We are all sinful and in need of grace. We need grace to become the people God is calling us to become.

We are urged to recognize the prophet, the righteous person, and the disciple in each other and in ourselves. We are asked to see beyond the mere physical, beyond the surface, to the spirit that lies beneath. When we welcome each other in this way, we are not just welcoming individuals but the Christ within them!

Moreover, this passage reminds us of the significance of even the smallest acts of kindness. Even something as simple as giving a cup of cold water to a little one, when done in the spirit of love and service, can have profound spiritual implications. It is a reminder that every act of service, no matter how small, carries weight in the eyes of the Lord.

 

We come to communion because we are sinners. We come not because we are worthy but because, without the grace of Christ, we cannot grow in faith and find the restorative of our sinful habits and choices.

We want all people to come to the table, repent of their sins, and be welcome at the banquet table with our Lord. With all at the table of grace, we become the full body of Christ, in the service of Christ, equipped for the work of the kingdom.

As we partake in the bread and wine today, let us remember the profound lessons this scripture passage offers. Let us strive to be

• welcoming of sinners, to
• recognize the divinity in each other, to
• acknowledge our desperate need to be forgiven, healed, and made new, and to
• serve with a spirit of love and generosity.

As we do this, we will not only be partaking in communion, but we will be living it, embodying its principles in our daily lives.

In this communion, we welcome Christ into our hearts, we welcome each other as embodiments of His love, and through this act of mutual acknowledgment, we strengthen our bonds of faith and community in the grace of Christ.

 

Remember, as we take this bread, as we share this cup, we are not just partaking of a tradition. We are partaking in a profound mystery of faith, a symbol of divine love and sacrifice and a reminder of the power of welcome, service, and love.

Finally, “And whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple — truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.” This emphasizes the significance of even the smallest act of kindness when done in the spirit of Christ’s love. In the sacrament of Communion, we are reminded of this profound truth. The bread and the wine are simple elements, yet they hold an incomparable spiritual significance. They represent the greatest act of love ever shown to humanity – Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.

Not every act of service and witness has to be small. Do not fall into thinking that we can only do little things, but small and large.

May this communion strengthen our bonds of fellowship, deepen our faith, and inspire us to live out the principles of Christ in every aspect of our lives. May we always be welcoming, always be loving, and always be serving, for truly, none of these will lose their reward.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, may we come to the table, together. Amen.