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
My first call was as a missionary in Guatemala. During my first months in the country, as I was learning the language, I took a lot of pictures of doors. The pictures captured their colorful wood and intricate ironwork, but they also reminded me that I was an outsider. The barriers of language and culture were significant.
Nearly 10 years later, my husband and I brought one of our urban pastors to the emergency room. We had the means to get through a door that her poverty prevented her from passing through without help. In the examination room, she asked me to stay with her while we waited for her to be seen. When the nurse came in, she asked who I was, and the pastor in me stated, "She is my sister." And it was true, because I am — because of Christ.
Prayer
Lord, create community in surprising places. Break down barriers that need to be broken. Teach us to be patient, to learn, to listen, and to live as siblings in Christ because of your work within us. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.