|
The door to the sanctuary is always open. The arms of the Master open wide to all who would take refuge in his heart and in the heart of his teaching. And all of us -- Christian, Muslim, Jew, Buddhist or Hindu, people of all faiths who believe in God and those who don’t -- all are welcome here. The teachings of Jesus are universal teachings. They were given by Jesus to the Jewish people, but they were also given to others who had ears to hear them. The teaching could not by its nature be restricted by blood and birth and given only to a few. It had to be given to all people in all times. Jews will have a natural affinity with the words of Jesus for they are pure Torah and they unfold directly from Jewish law. Christians will resonate with his words, for they are the essence of the gospels as they have come down to us. Others from different faiths will also be touched by his teaching, for Jesus is an eloquent, compelling teacher of universal truth. When people hear his words and feel his presence, they are called to God in a deep and profound way. It is hard to find a teaching that is totally open: open to all men and women, regardless of who they are or what they have done, a teaching that invites everyone without exception into the circle of love. Yet this is such a teaching.
|