Reflection for the Fifth Sunday of Easter
"Let the Right Ones In"
Prepared and offered by Beth Carlson-Malena
May 18, 2025
Acts 11:1-18 (NRSVA)
Questions
These questions invite you to reflect on themes of belonging, fear, purity, welcome, and the surprising work of the Spirit. In a world full of danger and division, how do we discern whom to welcome—and how do we remain open to the Spirit’s boundary-breaking love?
When have you felt like “the wrong one” trying to be let in?
Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy, unclean, or excluded—within a community, relationship, or even your faith.
- How did others respond to you?
- How did that shape your view of God or yourself?
What boundaries have helped you feel safe—and which ones might God be asking you to re-examine?
- What “rules of admission” do you rely on when deciding who is trustworthy or welcome.
- Are any of them shaped more by fear than faith?
- How might God's love be asking you to soften or shift those boundaries?
In chaotic times, it’s natural to want clear lines.
- How do you balance boundaries with openness? How do you protect your emotional/spiritual well-being while staying open to those who are different, difficult, or unfamiliar?
- What helps you resist the pull of judgment, disgust, or exclusion?
Peter was surprised when the Spirit rewrote the rules.
- Has God ever disrupted your expectations about who belongs?
- Share a time when someone unexpected became a gift to your life or faith. How did that experience challenge or expand your view of God's love?
What might it mean for you to “let the wrong ones in” right now?
- Is there a person, group, or situation where the Spirit might be nudging you toward connection, compassion, or courage?
- What would it take for you to say yes to that invitation?
Prayer prompts for this week
A prayer of gratitude for being welcomed in
God, I thank you for the times I’ve been welcomed when I didn’t feel worthy. Remind me of those moments—who opened the door for me, who showed me grace, who reflected your love. Let me never forget the wonder of being included. Help me carry that same spirit of welcome to others.
A prayer for courage to welcome the unexpected
Spirit of surprise, I confess that I’m often afraid of what’s unfamiliar. Give me the courage to listen when you knock through unlikely people. Help me to trust your voice. Teach me to let the "wrong ones" in—just like you let me in.
A prayer for discernment in risky times
God of wisdom, the world feels overwhelming and unsafe. I want to love without losing myself, to welcome without enabling harm. Teach me to set boundaries with compassion—not fear. Show me how to balance accountability and grace in your name.
A prayer for healing from religious shame
God, you see the parts of me that others called “unclean.” Heal the wounds of rejection, shame, and silence. If I have ever called myself—or others—unworthy of love, forgive me. Help me to live as one you have made clean.
A prayer for a longer table
Jesus, you ate with sinners, strangers, and skeptics. Make my table longer and my heart more open. Help me prepare a seat even for those I don’t understand or agree with ... because in your kingdom, grace makes room for everyone—even me.
