Special music by Georg Philipp Telemann performed by Sara Heft on Flute at Faith Lutheran Church in Okemos, Michigan.

One impact that such understanding can have is to insure that the invited guest lists at our dinner parties do not show us to be labelers! Our guest lists at this table of welcome should never show us to be condescending, prejudiced or self-righteous. In our social circles, organizations and church communities there can be no exclusive circles, only inclusive ones. There is no one to whom we can condescend. If we know that with all our shortcomings and failures God’s extravagant love is great enough to accept even us, then we also know that somewhere very close to us there are feet waiting to be washed!

A special Faith Bells performance at Faith Lutheran Church in Okemos, Michigan

Special Music performed by Julianne Schrote at Faith Lutheran Church in Okemos, Michigan.

Special Music by the Chancel Choir and Faith Bells of Faith Lutheran Church of Okemos, Music

In today's gospel Jesus' ministry bears witness to God's coming reign, where the lowly are shown mercy and the dead are raised. Here, Jesus ministers to a widow by raising her only son to life.

In Sunday's reading from Luke, the Judeans and, by extension, all of us are stopped short in our thinking because Jesus' actions and words shatter all of our efforts at "othering."

Special music by the Faith Lutheran Chancel Choir of Faith Lutheran Church in Okemos, Michigan.