Tuesday 3 April 2007

As we continue to lead into the parable of the great dinner, here is another bit of the context prior to the parable.

(from yesterday)
We he (Jesus) noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, 'Give this person your place,' and then in disgrace you would start to talk the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when you host comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, move up higher'; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." (Luke 14:7-11)
(and today)
He said also to the one who had invited him, "When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous. (Luke 14:12-14)

Now attention is drawn to the host. The guests have agendas as to where they sit and why they sit there....but now...what about the one who does the inviting. We all have our boundary issues and our lists of "oh they wouldn't fit in" or "not with this group." It is easy to become exclusionary. It is easy to stay with what is comfortable. It is easy to fall into the trap of if we do this, they may do that for us. Many games can be played in the world of hospitality. So, why not open up the list. There are specifics listed in the text but I would suggest it is a good start for all of us to find those first places when we can expand our understanding of what it is to really be a gracious host. It is in this kind of treatment of guests and the making up of the list of guests that we begin to reflect the way of Jesus in the most basic and intimate ways of coming together - around the table - at the party. We are not a people who seek to rise to the top of the social ladder as though that makes something of us. We are already the beloved of God. Nothing can be added to that - nor to those for whom the world may have little or no regard.

Connection: Following Jesus is usually a hard thing to talk about because it becomes so real - so ordinary - so everyday - so at our table of welcome. It may even be harder to do. It is here where the Spirit of our Lord enters this day and draws us to act as the righteous who rise to the mundane life of the Reign of God.

Free us, O God. Free us from making the story about us and how we can benefit and do well. Free us so that we can be free to take hold and welcome all whom you welcome into your great banquet of hope and life. Amen.