Gospel is all about inclusivity

I'd like to respond to Cal Thomas' column of July 24 ("The church of what's happenin' now"). I find it ironic that Mr. Thomas, who often rails against liberal "elitists," would publish such a condescending column.

Our dear brothers and sisters in Christ who affirm the inclusion of our gay and lesbian neighbors into the life of the church are not "con artists." They are serious disciples of Christ and of his gospel. Mr. Thomas asserts that the word "inclusivity" is not found in scripture. True, but neither is the word "trinity."

The gospel is a love story of ever-expanding inclusivity. God's grace bestowed upon Israel later extends to the gentiles and then to the entire world. This world includes those whom we in our hate and ignorance want to exclude.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is all about inclusion. He calls former outcasts like you and me to join him at his banquet feast. "Come you who labor and I will give you rest." St Paul says it well in his letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 1: 9-10): "He has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth."

God be praised that his gospel of grace is on a trajectory of ever-expanding inclusivity.

Gary Tucker

Orland Park