Stretching a Bit

We looked at the place we have in belonging in the church yesterday.  In my preparations I was reminded of a story written by Sietze Buning titled “Excommunication”, from his book Purpaleanie.  The story is of Benny who is being excommunicated.  He shows up for his own excommunication service.  He stands when his name is called out and owns the moment.  Not in protest.  Not out of being simple-minded.  But it was the reverse of profession of faith, where he stood as well.

Sietze’s statement of Benny is this:

I will not be cut off as though I do not exist.  I am God’s child, all right, God’s naughty child, but still God’s child: Benny.

Then Sietze asks the questions of himself and the church.  Who of us had the right to be there?  Who had wrestled like Benny?  Was Benny excommunicating me and the church?

I wonder about such a moment.  Who stood with Benny?  Who else saw that they were a sinner and in need of grace?  We stand with others when they do their profession of faith to hold them up.  Do we stand with others through the struggles?  If we belong, then we stand together in our belonging.  No one belongs alone.

I rest with a question in my mind.  I believe I know the answer, based on the way I have seen people around me live out faith.  The question of what would we do if the people sitting by us in the pew were those who had been involved in prostitution, drugs, or many other things that offend us?  What will we do?

Prayer

Lord, place in our midst the ones who need grace as much as we do.  Help us to see that the ones we might look down on are ones also made in your image, your children.  Stretch us in our understanding of our belonging.  Seeing that our belonging is like Benny, not based on our actions, but based on you calling us your child.  Stretch us in seeing that belonging for any other is based on your calling them your children.  Not our walls, limits, or preferences.  Stretch us in your grace so that we can truly live faith with the love you have for your creation.  Amen.