“Then they all began making lame excuses. The first said, “I bought a piece of property and need to look it over. Send my regrets.’
“Another said, “I just bought five teams of oxen, and I really need to check them out. Send my regrets.’
“And yet another said, “I just got married and need to get home to my wife.’
“The servant went back and told the master what had happened. He was outraged and told the servant, “Quickly, get out into the city streets and alleys. Collect all who look like they need a square meal, all the misfits and homeless and wretched you can lay your hands on, and bring them here.’
“The servant reported back, “Master, I did what you commanded–and there’s still room.’
“The master said, “Then go to the country roads. Whoever you find, drag them in. I want my house full! Let me tell you, not one of those originally invited is going to get so much as a bite at my [Thanksgiving dinner].’”
Luke 14:16-24
This evening as I returned from my Nana’s house I kept replaying a scene at the dinner table. It was right after we had all over-eaten and the inevitable “we live in the best country in the world” talk began.
I listened for awhile before chiming in on a statistic I had just read the day before – I said, “Well…… 18,000 people died today from lack of food and water.”
I admit, I liked the shock value – because if I don’t shock myself daily then I quickly lose sight and forget that while I am uncomfortably full – mothers and fathers, and sons and daughters are dying of malnutrition.
I tried the “with great power comes great responsibility” angle – but no one seemed interested in thinking about the 90 million children who are severely food-deprived right now. They don’t have names or faces – truthfully, they are barely even people to us.
How can I be so numb, and so complacent? At times I feel so guilty and ashamed I am simply beside myself in anger, frustration and sadness.
I went to three Thanksgiving dinners this week.
We didn’t have any misfits, or homeless, or wretched sitting at our tables – yet that’s who showed up for Jesus’s Thanksgiving dinner. It was the comfortable people who had it all together who rejected His offer.
It’s not hard to see who I am in this parable.
God forgive me.
osubeth: God, turn our heavy hearts into action. I don’t know what that is or how to figure it out. But you are God and able to make the impossible a reality. Make it so in our lives. Amen.4 years ago
tree25: I’m really appreciating your translation of this story!! Nicely done ;-) And, again with the humility! Thanks for always questioning. It’s a good example.4 years ago
WatkinsTalkins: that’s good! thank you4 years ago