An Invitation

When one of those who reclined at table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet.’” Luke 14:15-24

An Invitation

All the excuses in the world
yes you are busy and important
but you miss the finest moments
and the tender morsels of joy.

You tell yourself they aren't my kind
or that the food and company will upset
the unfamiliar is not for you
and you ignore the possibility of surprise.

Your home is exactly as you need
everything in its place and familiar
the stranger and beggars kept from your door
you are well armed and under control.

The delight and wonder of youth
you gave it away to order and sense
the excitement and thrill of new people
you sent way for fear's sake alone.

There is room at the table
the banquet is prepared
the strange and familiar all gathered
and God's love in in the midst of them all.