The history of Lutheran churches in this country is primarily a history of northern European ethnic groups maintaining their cultural identity amidst the American "melting pot" (more of a jambalaya, as the American parts remain distinct in the mix, but that's a story for another day). Seemingly in spite of, but more likely because of, this insider-focused history, as the Lutheran churches have grown up we have become more engaged in our society, more welcoming of outsiders, to the degree that Lutherans are doing vital work with unaccompanied migrant children on the southern border of the US.
In today's lessons from Isaiah and Matthew's Gospel, we are reminded why we engage in this difficult, compassionate endeavor. We do this work because we know that God's promise is for everyone.
Helpful links for today's sermon:
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service
Lutheran Social Services of Michigan
One Michigan Lutheran church's local efforts
As always, you can listen here or subscribe by searching "Tengwall" on iTunes.
Isaiah 56:1-8
56Thus
says the Lord: Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my
salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed.
6And the foreigners who join
themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord,
and to be his servants, all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it, and
hold fast my covenant— 7these I will bring to my holy mountain,
and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their
sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house
of prayer for all peoples. 8Thus says the Lord God, who gathers
the outcasts of Israel, I will gather others to them besides those already
gathered.
Matthew 15:10-28
10Then he called the crowd to him
and said to them, “Listen and understand: 11it is not what goes
into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth
that defiles.” 12Then the disciples approached and said to him,
“Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you
said?” 13He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has
not planted will be uprooted. 14Let them alone; they are blind
guides of the blind. And if one blind person guides another, both will fall
into a pit.” 15But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to
us.” 16Then he said, “Are you also still without
understanding? 17Do you not see that whatever goes into the
mouth enters the stomach, and goes out into the sewer? 18But
what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles.19For
out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, fornication, theft,
false witness, slander. 20These are what defile a person, but
to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.”
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