Luke 14:1, 7-14 (NRSV)
Read Luke 14:1, 7-14 on biblegateway.com
Chapter 14On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.
Verse 7When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. Verse 8"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; Verse 9and 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 take the lowest place. Verse 10But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your 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. Verse 11For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." Verse 12He 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. Verse 13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. Verse 14And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
Devotion
I have a lawyer friend in Chicago who speaks every year to graduating law students. “Soon,” he tells them, “you will be surrounded by wealthy clients. Soon you’ll want to live like them – with a bigger car and house and a place at the lake. Don’t be fooled. Go into the streets to see the world you’ve been prepared to serve, and the justice you’re called to seek.”
In this wonderful nation filled with Christians, there are 46 million people who don’t have health insurance and almost 35 million who have trouble putting food on the table. Their struggle has nothing to do with a house on a lake. Jesus calls us to include those who cannot repay us. One way to respond is to include the ELCA Hunger Appeal in our regular monthly offerings.
Ultimately, we are all beggars. Still, Christ loves, forgives and welcomes us to the heavenly banquet. It is from that place of grace and gratitude that we live.
Prayer
God of grace, help me to see clearly this day – not just what I want to see, but what you would have me see. And help me to respond in faith and compassion. Amen.