On 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. When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. "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; and 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. But 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. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted." 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." Luke 14:1, 7-14
Very few of us are hosting wedding banquets or other large events. We mostly don't hang around with royalty and important people. Yet, we do know what it is like to be given a place of honor and the hurt of being sent away empty handed. Too often, we think exclusive clubs and exclusive venues are what we need and want, when what we really need is a bigger table and a place for everyone. We all ooh and aah over fancy, yet we love nothing more than a home cooked meal in a relaxed and safe environment. God's reign is not one of exclusion but welcome. Welcome to all classes and cultures, welcome for the humble and the stranger, and food enough for everyone.
A Litany for Sunday, August 31, 2025
Welcoming Creator, you make enough for all
and invite us to gather together to celebrate
providing for the grandest and least among us.
Blessed Jesus, help us to bless and welcome all our neighbors.
People choose to separate themselves from others
look down their noses at those who are less fortunate
and always grab the very best seats in the house.
Blessed Jesus, help us to bless and welcome all our neighbors.
Yet you call us to invite the poor and the meek
feeding those who cannot walk and feed themselves
reminding us how gracious and welcoming you are.
Blessed Jesus, help us to bless and welcome all our neighbors.
Move us from our selfish ways to compassion
and soften our hearts to see the needs around us.
Blessed Jesus, help us to bless and welcome all our neighbors.
You welcomed us when we felt abandoned
and embraces us when we were left in the cold.
Blessed Jesus, help us to bless and welcome all our neighbors.
Give us your grace so we might build a table
big enough to feed everyone that is hungry today.
Blessed Jesus, help us to bless and welcome all our neighbors. Amen.
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