We continue our series “Cornerstone,” looking at the foundations of our parish. So far, we have looked at the importance of love, grace, and being a movement instead of a monument. This week, we look at the importance of reaching the lost or those separated from Christ and his Church. 

Jesus repeatedly said that he had come for the lost. He told three different parables in succession to emphasize God’s concern for the lost. Jesus taught concern for the lost and yet this teaching easily gets forgotten. In fact, the gravitational pull of every parish will be toward comforting insiders and challenging outsiders — the exact opposite of what Jesus did. 

Today, pray that our parish will get better and better at being welcoming to people who are far from God or turned off by the Church.