This week's letter to the Hebrews
and gospel account are lessons in humility and hospitality. Jesus was invited
to a Sabbath meal at the home of a leading Pharisee, and tells us where to sit
- not in the place of honor, but in the lowest seats where we may be exalted
and asked to move up, rather than embarrassed and asked to move down. his
lesson, and the real heart of the lesson, is to have the heart of a servant. "The
next time you throw a party, don’t invite your rich friends and neighbors, so
that they might return the favor some day and invite you to one of their nice
parties. Rather, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind. Then
you will be blessed, because they can’t repay you. For all who exalt themselves
will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Jesus challenges, and sometimes provokes, the status quo, but always based in compassion and understanding of vulnerability. Ultimately, Jesus is the grace, love and mercy of God. The gracious host who shows us God's kingdom, and appropriate "table manners." There's a whole lot of watching going on. Read Ven. Irene Egmalis-Maluaman's "Watching." In our zeal to get ourselves situated, we can begin to look like we are playing a game of musical chairs with a complete emphasis on getting in the right chair on time. Let us not be afraid of where we are seated."
Read Steve Goodier's wonderful story about Booker T. Washington, and lesson in humility and spirit in "A Humble Spirit ."
Finally we have that beautiful passage from the letter to the Hebrews,"Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it." Who are angels who may have shown us hospitality? What is it to be hospitable?
