Luke 14:12-14 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Table fellowship was a big deal in Jesus’s culture. There were some people you are happy to eat with (relatives, friends, rich neighbors) and others that would make your table unclean (gentiles, sick people, disabled people). But Jesus points out how meaningless it is to share your table with people who don’t need your food or your hospitality. Blessing comes when you share the blessings with those who have nothing except need. Your repayment will come from God, who sees who you include at your table.
During the pandemic, food security became a huge issue. For the past year, mutual aid groups filled in the gaps to make sure families were fed. We have become a partner with Community Dinners to provide a regular meal for those in need. Consider how you can share your food with hungry individuals and families this month.
Prayer: Heavenly Father we thank you because Your Word says that because You love us, You gave your only begotten Son to die for us. So, we thank you that Your love extends to every ethnic group, all genders, race, color and socio-economic classifications. Your love extends especially to those who are vulnerable, whom you call the “least of these:” the homeless, the poor, the hungry, the thirsty and the incarcerated. May your love so fill our hearts that we will welcome them and care for them as we would welcome and care for Christ. We pray for divine covering and blessing upon them and for justice to rain down upon our land so that everyone will have what they need. Amen.
Tongue on Fire 