The comedian Groucho Marx told audiences that he when he was invited to join a country club, he replied, "Please accept my resignation. I don't want to belong to any club that would accept me as a member."

His sentiment is the opposite of most of us, I think. Most of us would be delighted to be invited to join a prestigious organization. County clubs, yacht clubs, college fraternities and sororities, community fraternal organizations, and other groups that set social, political or even religious requirements for entrance have always been popular in the United States.

It might seem odd that a nation formed on the premise that all people are equal, and that all should have access to the same rights and privileges, would cherish exclusivity. The idea that "not just anyone can join," seems to appeal to us.

In today's readings, we're once again reminded that this kind of exclusivity has no place in our faith. We are not to be preoccupied with keeping people out of our church communities, but with including anyone and everyone. We might reverse Groucho Marx's comment and say, "I don't want to belong to a religion that would keep anyone out."

"The foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, ministering to him, loving the name of the Lord, and becoming his servants…them I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer;…for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples."

God, apparently does not want to be the God of a country club, yacht club, fraternity, ethnic group, political party, or government. God is interested in welcoming all who will "join themselves to the Lord," and to see houses of worship be houses or "prayer for all peoples." The requirements for entry into God's house of prayer are remarkably simple and few - love the name of the Lord, serve the Lord, keep the covenant - all having to do with behavior and not with breeding or pedigree. It would seem that God is more concerned with how we live than with how we were born.

The kingdom of God is not a social club, nor is it mean to be exclusive in any way. Far from it. The vision of the Christian community presented in the Scriptures, especially in the teachings of Jesus, are of a radically inclusive community. The core values of Jesus' community are acceptance, compassion, hospitality, and forgiveness - none which place much premium on keeping people away from the life giving sacraments of the church.

Groucho didn't want to join a club that would have someone like him as a member. Maybe he was afraid it would be full of people like him - too homogeneous and a little boring because of it. We should have no such worries in our churches. We would do well to make our church communities as accessible and open to all people as we can. In the end, if our communities truly reflect the values of God's kingdom, we may even want to join ourselves!

Bill Peatman writes from Napa. He may be reached at bptidings@yahoo.com.