"Remember when you could greet someone at the gate?"

Psalm 107:1-7
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress; he led them by a straight way, until they reached an inhabited town. Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to humankind.

This month we begin a sermon series on Baggage and Checkpoints. The baggage we carry around as we travel on the journey.  And the checkpoints we are forced to endure along the way. We will also spend some time at checkpoints we know we should stop at and deal with... our historical past and how it affects us even now. More of a gut check perhaps than a check point.

On Tuesday, Todd and I flew back from a six-day stay in NYC.  It was a great trip and so wonderful to spend a few days with Jake.  The travel days, however, are never that much fun.  LaGuardia Airport yesterday was pretty crowded and overwhelming as we sat waiting for our flight at Gate B4.

It made me think,though, about those good old days when you could actually have potentially had even MORE people waiting at this gate. Because remember when you could greet someone at the gate? You didn't have to have a plane ticket and an ID to go to a gate and see someone just as soon as they got off the plane. Anyone younger than 20, of course, probably does not remember this world, but many of us do.  

There was something so appealing about being able to be right at the gate as someone arrived home. And, in theological terms, that moment of welcoming someone at the gate would be a heaven. And heaven is a return to the embrace of the one who loves you. Heaven is your return to a place you feel most welcome.

This week's Psalm 107 speaks of God leading those who are distressed out of their time of trial and into the warmth of an inhabited town.  What ways do we do the same in our deep and abiding relationships with family and with friends?  How do we create Heaven on Earth, the reign of God here and now in the ways we choose to include and embrace those who have been away from love, from home, from a sense of wholeness?

This is All Saints' Sunday. A time when we remember those who have gone before us. We will pause to spend some time lifting up the names of the cloud of witnesses, the saints, who have gone before us and who have led the way to the Gate we will all one day walk through.  Come prepared to say aloud the names of those you would like to honor this All Saints' Sunday.

Thoughts? Comments? Email me or comment below.