This week we come to a central teaching of Jesus. He calls us to be like God in our extravagant love for those who don’t respect us, don’t deserve it, and can’t afford it. The Golden Rule applies to “the others” who are farthest from us, because we were estranged from God and he extended his grace to us. When we consider the Welcome of God, we look to the cross as the embodiment of Jesus’s teaching here in Luke 6:27-36. I am challenged greatly by these verses and I think you will be too, but in the best of ways. I look forward to seeing you and consider inviting a friend, neighbor or relative to sit with you this Sunday.