On Sunday we attended the baptism of our great nephew Arlo in a village church in Somerset. The setting was quite traditional, but the vicar gave a lovely welcome to the families who had come for the baptism, and was happy to see all the young children relaxing in the church, running around and generally making themselves at home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When it came to the gospel reading he walked down the aisle, dressed in his priest\u2019s robes, and flanked by two \u2018acolytes\u2019 carrying candles. But he used the Usborne Children\u2019s Bible to tell the story of the baptism of Jesus. When the children stopped their running to listen, he knelt down with them and included them even more closely, showing them the pictures and acting out the story with them. It was a lovely moment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It reminded me of this poem. The setting is another village church, with children from their \u2018Sunday\u2019s Cool\u2019 group waiting to come back into the service with the leader, who narrates the poem:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Church's banquet<\/strong>
We had finished Sunday's Cool
and were waiting in the church porch to return.
There were just three that day:
Joseph with bright eyes and mind and a sweet sideways smile,
Poppy peaceful and pretty
in a party dress, her Sunday's best,
and William swirling and dancing
with wise eyes deep pools of observation.
They circled and hopped in anticipation
like horses ready at their gates.
So we waited
these three, my three grace-girls and me
looking for a crack in the door
so we could slip back in.
Watching them I wondered:
amongst the crumbling church walls,
rotas, church politics, chair stacking and service prep
might church still be a banquet
and prayer a party?
The children answered
as the door opened and they were off
galloping up the aisle
knowing there was blessing at the table
where another Three waited.
Whirling, twirling, hurling themselves
into church
the children had it:
week by week the feast is laid
and we may sit and eat.
<\/pre>\n\n\n\nThe church is not always good at welcoming those who don\u2019t fit in or who are different – so it\u2019s wonderful to have these examples of lively children feeling so welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That poem is from a beautiful book called \u2018Something Understood\u2019 based on George Herbert\u2019s poem \u2018Prayer\u2019. Today is the day we remember George Herbert. He began his career as a rising star in the world of the university and in politics, but he gave that up to become vicar of a small parish called Bemerton, near Salisbury. He was by all accounts a conscientious, caring and prayerful parish priest. The heart of his spirituality is expressed in another poem. You might recognise a similarity with the last line of \u2018Church\u2019s banquet\u2019\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Love<\/strong> by George Herbert
Love bade me welcome; yet my soul drew back,
Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-eyed Love, observing me grow slack
From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning
If I lacked anything.
\u2018A guest,\u2019 I answered, \u2018worthy to be here:\u2019
Love said, \u2018You shall be he.\u2019
\u2018I, the unkind, ungrateful? Ah, my dear,
I cannot look on Thee.\u2019
Love took my hand and smiling did reply,
\u2018Who made the eyes but I?\u2019
\u2018Truth, Lord; but I have marred them: let my shame
Go where it doth deserve.\u2019
\u2018And know you not,\u2019 says Love, \u2018Who bore the blame?\u2019
\u2018My dear, then I will serve.\u2019
\u2018You must sit down,\u2019 says Love, \u2018and taste my meat.\u2019
So I did sit and eat.
<\/pre>\n\n\n\nThat radical personal welcome is not always easy for us to accept. We may not feel good enough. Or it may make us feel vulnerable – it may feel too intimate. But if we can allow ourselves to be welcomed like this so completely by the God who loves us, then our hearts may be more ready to welcome others with the same inclusive love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Here\u2019s a prayer I wrote many years ago, based on that poem by George Herbert:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Lord Jesus invites us to his meal.
When our shame makes us draw back
his live bids us welcome.
He lifts our downcast eyes to his.
He takes our hand and draws us in.
He says because of me you are the worthy guest.
Our Lord, we come with thankful hearts. Amen.
<\/pre>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Spend a few moments with the poem \u2018Love\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be aware of the Jesus welcoming you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you lift your eyes to him?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you sense him take your hand and draw you in?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you feel yourself being fully welcomed by his love?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rest in his love and be thankful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think of those people you know who you long to feel that welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those who feel left out\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those who struggle to accept that they are loved\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those who are just beginning to explore faith and spirituality\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bring them, in your prayer, into the welcoming love of God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can offer ourselves to be the ones reaching out with God\u2019s welcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What might that look like for you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lord Jesus, may we know and accept your welcome,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
may we reach out with your love to those around us, those who feel excluded,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
may we rejoice in sharing your love with others.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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