Luke 14:7-14 (NRSV)
Read Luke 14:7-14 on biblegateway.com
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
We have all been schooled in the proprieties expected on such an occasion. It is rude to show off at a social gathering, to presume a right to the host’s particular attention and the acquiescence of the other guests in one’s expectation of recognition. But at the banquet Jesus describes such self-absorption as more than a breach of etiquette. It is deadly self-deception. For when he sets his table, Jesus invites the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind…and we are to be counted among them.
Prayer
Dearest Jesus, heal us that we may find our place at your table with all your saints. Amen.