and we are invited to reflect
not always on the inviter
but on the guests.
For Jesus the banquet is God's invitation
to all people to participate in the life of God
Some notes on this week's readings, Sunday 29th August, the 14th Sunday after Pentecost. In particular
In the Middle East we hear talk of legendary hospitality
Jewish, Christian and Islamic culture
have generous hospitality as part of their tradition
It is a reflection of God's own openness
to all humanity
- there is no one who is not welcome -
This icon of the resurrection
shows us the risen Jesus
with open arms
The resurrection is a radical act of openness
-God with open arms-
longing to welcome beloved sons and daughters
back to the fulness of life
that God always intended for us
So we are not surprised to read in letter to the Hebrews
an exhortation to be mutually supportive,
to care for those in trouble,
for those who are persecuted,
and to have good, solid and honourable relationships
As important as security and wealth might be
the love of money is not the way to fulfilment.
This is sufficient for us to think about I suspect,
but the Gospel also reminds us to stop thinking
that the world revolves around us.
Jesus tells a sort of amusing story
about people being displaced at a dinner party
because they think that they are the important ones
and we are reminded that in God's kingdom
things are not like they are in the world.
It is not the rich, the powerful, the sexy, & the influential
who have pride of place.
It is rather the reverse.
Back to Church
We might think about the forthcoming Back to Church Sunday, for example
who does God want there?
maybe we need to look beyond
those who we are seduced by
and also beyond ourselves
-our place is at the bottom end of the table-
Legendary hospitality tells us that
all are welcome
and this story reminds us
that it is those who we are least attracted to
who may be the very ones God commends to us.
This week
- How legendary is our hospitality?
- Is God commending to our care someone who we just don't see?
- Can we welcome others more fervently? Into our lives? Into our Churches?
- Find one person this week who God commends to your care and perform an anonymous kindness
- Invite someone to Church on September 12
LORD Jesus you welcome usMAY we welcome youAS Lord andIN others
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