Invited

After I finished Kindergarten, we moved from Pennsylvania to Midland, Michigan. No one asked my permission. We lived in the "poor" neighborhood. The neighborhood where the soot from the plant would be on the windowsills every morning. I became friends with Tommy. Tommy lived around the corner. Tommy was Catholic. I remember what a big deal it was whether or not Tommy could have a hot dog at my birthday party on Friday. Catholics weren't supposed to eat meat on Fridays back then. Once, I found out Tommy and his family were going to the circus. Maybe, if I stood by their driveway, and looked pitiful, maybe they would invite me, too? There they were, backing out of their driveway. Quick, let me do my sad puppy eyes. They're out of the driveway, in the street. Quick, let me do my best pitiful face! And there they go..... Rats! Didn't work! I learned then that you can't MAKE someone invite you. Back in 2003, I was riding my bicycle to Minneapolis for a national church meeting. I was using special bike map. For a bike-friendly route. Once on I-95 at rush hour was more than enough! (It was an accident!) Coming up was a little town called Monroeville, Indiana. My bike map said to call a certain number. If I called, they would let you into the town's community center. Where you could get a shower. A shower is fabulous when you're really grubby from biking in hot weather all day. And it sure beat the cold shower I had back at that Ohio campground! Not only was there a shower, but they also had a bed. Sure beats sleeping up against the brick wall of the elementary school, like I did in Maryland. Noy only was there a shower, not only was there a bed, but you could even use the washer and dryer there. Free! My favorite word! I was overwhelmed! There was also a large room at the community center. Big hubbub going on in that room. Turns out it was a high school graduation party. Late June is that time of year. The mother of the graduate saw me. For some reason--maybe I looked pitiful?--she invited me in. As I got into the food line, I was very aware, I had made no contribution.I had brought no casserole, no cake. I had given no card, no gift. I had no right to be there. Except that I had been Invited. In our Gospel reading for this week, you and I have been Invited. The unfriendly neighbor has been Invited. The idiot who drove by on the highway at 90 mph has been invited. The person I dislike the most has been Invited. Invited by God, to come to the Party. You know, you got your clipboard and I got mine. We're busy scoring ourselves and everybody else. And we're all Invited. For today, I'm going with, "Jesus loves you, and I'm trying." Let me try to let go of my clipboard, and rember we're all Invited.