Notes from Yukiko’s Desk

Dear friends of Christ,

The readings assigned for this Sunday remind us that God’s house is open to all people. Isaiah glimpsed one united humanity, gather together in God’s temple: ‘And foreigners who join themselves to the Lord…these I will bring to my holy mountain…for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples’ (56:6-7). Psalm 67 also repeatedly sings that God's blessings are not restricted to any one group, rather they are for everyone. In Romans, Paul assures his readers that God wants to show mercy ‘to all’ (11:32). The theme of Gospel revolves around welcoming of outsider and the inclusivity of Jesus’ ministry.

As we look around the world today, we struggle to see the reality of such a promise. The headlines are more about division than unity. Closer to home we know how easily family life can fracture, the tendency for communities to divide, the power of social media to stir up hatred, and the way people are made into scapegoats. Such reality grieves our hearts deeply.

As I was checking the music slides (which Trish Gosper has chosen) for this Sunday at Holy Cross, the second verse of the third song, “we are many, we are one,” caught my eyes.

All division is made whole
when we honour every soul,
find the life of God in every you and me.

What a beautiful vision! This song was written by Collin Gibson in Methodist Church in NZ in 1998, but it has been widely used since then. As we contemplate the readings and worship, let’s hope and pray that “all divisions will be made whole. “The photo of the cover of this newsletter was taken at Browns Bay when I was walking one morning. It was created by someone; the heart shape was made with many shells, which reminded me of the song; “we are many we are one.”

Embracing the faith,

Yukiko

    
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