Read Luke 14:15-24

When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, "Blessed is the one who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God."

Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.'

"But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.'

"Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.'

"Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'

"The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame.'

"'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.'

"Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. I tell you, not one of those who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.'"

Reflect

Depicting the kingdom of God as a festive meal is common in the Bible. God sends out invitations to all. Notice how the invitation to the meal becomes more and more inclusive as the story develops. Is our own hospitality so inclusive?

Respond

What does hospitality look like in your life? Do you like to host others for meals, or perhaps serve others by taking care of a task like bringing a meal, mowing a lawn, or shoveling a driveway? Think of a time where someone was hospitable to you and how it made you feel. Imagine how you might expand on being hospitable in your own life to your neighbors and family.