Listening to a CD this morning there was a cut which, not for the first time, got me to wondering.

It’s Easter morning. Knock at the door and there stands Jesus. My great room is a disaster because we are in the throes of painting, replacing carpet, we have dogs and cats running around, there’s nowhere to sit comfortably. We just put a ham and a lamb roast in the oven which will be accompanied by baked sweet potatoes, corn on the cob, crusty bread and salad. We have a bottle of Pinot Grigio somewhere. When dinner is ready we can sit cross-legged at the coffee table…as we often do, anyway. So…I’d gladly shake his hand, welcome him in to please feel at home and invite him to stay for dinner.

First I’d ask how he found us and if he had a place to stay, offer him one if he didn’t. Depending upon how he was clothed, I’d ask if he would like a jacket, sweater or something warmer to wear. I’d have to bring him into the office to be assured of somewhere to be comfortable as we chatted. I would ask him what he thinks of what we have accomplished, done, wrought in this world during the 20+ centuries since he made history with his birth and death. Since opinions vary generationally, I’d also ask what his father’s opinion is. I’d tell him about our family…introducing each of them through a pictorial history. Perhaps turn on the television, visiting Fox News, MSNBC, CNN and ask him what he really feels about war, poverty, the death penalty, honestly sharing my own opinions about each. What did he think of Hitler, Gandhi, Mother Theresa, the Pope, Muhammad and Jerry Falwell.

I would ask if we are made in his father’s image, his father’s creation, yet we are all of varying hues, cultures, beliefs and, yes…sexual preference…who and which is “wrong”…and why. What does he think of the immigration policies. Does he see any of us treating our neighbors as he wanted us to…and what about religious differences creating so much hate and discontent. He was born a Jew yet he did not strictly adhere to Jewish laws and customs of the day. Not only that, after his death he has since been revered as a Christian. How did he feel that through history his legacy has been to revile anything and anyone not Christian whether or not they follow a spiritual path yet using his…and his father’s…name as a righteous banner for their words and deeds.

Of course this conversation would be interspersed with throwing a ball for the dogs, laughing at the bird’s attempt to join the discussion and enjoying the meal. If he chose not to stay we’d ask where we might take him next…too cold and too far to walk, would he like to have some food with him for his journey, how about a coat and some money. If he chose to stay and try his hand at painting, we’d give him a brush. He would leave, knowing his visit had been our pleasure and, hopefully, his and that he would be more than welcome any time.

If Jesus came to your door this afternoon…what would you do?

This entry was posted on Sunday, April 8th, 2007 at 10:44 am and is filed under Lifestyle, Religion. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.