On one of the last frames of Wake Up Dead Man (the latest in the Knives Out series), we get a glimpse of the newly edited parish sign announcing, “All Are Welcome.” It’s a signal to our therapeutic culture that (spoiler alert) the good priest has triumphed over the bad. In a culture that shuns distinctions, boundaries, and limits, there’s no surer badge of goodness than welcoming everyone, without exception.
Now, our Lord’s first words in public ministry were not “All are welcome.” They were the seemingly less inviting “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” But these two phrases are not as opposed as some might think – or want – them to be. This Sunday’s Gospel (Matthew 4:12-23) gives us occasion to consider our Lord’s curious invitation to all.
The Christian message has two fundamental parts: sin and redemption. Jesus’ words capture them. Repent – because there is such a thing as sin, and we commit it. For the kingdom of heaven is at hand – because God has sought us out to bring us back to Himself. Let’s take each of these in turn.
First, Repent. Our culture values religion only to the extent that it makes us feel better about ourselves. So, the command to repent sounds harsh and forbidding – anything but welcoming. In fact, however, repentance is the most universal invitation. What we all have in common – without exception, beyond any distinction of race, class, or sex – is our sinfulness. There is nobody who doesn’t need to repent.
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