Veteran's Day

He 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. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’ One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to him, ‘Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. At the time for the dinner, he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, “Come; for everything is ready now.” But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, “I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my apologies.” Another said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my apologies.” Another said, “I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.” So, the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, “Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.” And the slave said, “Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.” Then the master said to the slave, “Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.” ’ Luke 14:12-24

Today is Veteran's Day in the US. We remember all those who have served and all those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Serving one's country and one's people is an honor among Native peoples here and when we are at Powwow our veterans lead the grand entry. We give special place to our warriors, the ones who kept us safe and fought so that we could all thrive. Our traditions honor our warriors, we honor those who serve, and we honor those who stay and care for the ones at home as well. We celebrate with food and song and never leave anyone outside. May we all hear Jesus's words today and be always ready to honor and celebrate those who served us and serve us now.

Wondrous Creator, you call us to serve

our communities and our tribal family

to be willing to show up when called

and ready to care for those who hurt.

We put ourselves and schedules first

forgetting that you always serve us

we put our politics and attitudes first

when you call us to be humble and serve.

Help us to get up when we are called

ready to serve with joy and strength

in good times and bad you need us

so that the world might have light and love. Amen.