Sometimes when I read a Gospel passage there is a word, or a phrase, or a sentance that strikes me. I may have read the passage before, perhaps several times. But this one time something jumps out at me that hadn't jumped out before. Reading today's Gospel passage (Jn 6: 35- 40) was one of those times. I was struck by Jesus' statement that He "will not reject anyone who comes to" Him. Isn't rejection one of those things we all fear? Haven't we all had times in our lives when we've wanted to be accepted, and haven't been? Maybe we didn't look as good as someone thought we should, or didn't have the right background or race or gender. Or maybe the timing just wasn't right, or who knows what the reason. But we were rejected, and it hurts. Even the Church can seem to reject people. There is an article in the most recent issue of "America," the Jesuit magazine that reviews faith and culture, entitled: "#Me Too-- Why would a woman remain Catholic today?" The author of the article suggests question arises because of all the dysfunction in the Church which seems to reject a serious role for women, among its other problems. We hear from other groups as well-- those who are gay, for example-- that they feel rejected, or at least not welcome, by the Church. In the context of those discussions we might keep in mind that sentance from today's Gospel-- Jesus does not reject anyone who comes to Him. The statement couldn't be more categorical or sweeping-- Jesus rejects no one who comes to Him! So, as His followers, we must do the same. We need to spend a lot more time and energy figuring out how to accept and welcome people, and a lot less time searching for reasons why someone cannot be accepted. We need reflect deeply on the example of Jesus, who spent so much time with outcasts, sinners, drunks, prostitutes and the like. Jesus accepts everyone who comes to Him. Do we?