Read: Luke 14:1, 7-14    

“Open Table”

“But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.”

  Hearing this passage it is easy to agree with Jesus, that it is a nice thing to do by inviting such people: “the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind.”  On the other hand do we ever stop to consider that we get to return to our normal way of life while they still live with their poverty and their disabilities? 

   Jesus paints a picture of an open table where everyone is welcome.  All are invited and there is enough for everyone.  This is possible because of the extravagant love of God.  It has nothing to do with our worthiness or even our worthlessness.  It has everything to do with God’s compassion and unconditional love, called Grace!  We are invited simply because we are God’s children.  We are invited because through our baptisms, we are brothers and sisters of Jesus.   God invites us to experience our lives shaped by God’s all inclusive and compassionate love.  Think about this for a moment.  This is wonderful thing!

God's Blessings!

 Pastor Don Ellerman