Text: Luke 14: 1, 7-14

Bev and I came mighty close to being at a wedding in the Loire Valley in France this weekend.

It began last summer in Haida Gwaii, in a campground. I first said hello to Alex at the communal water tap … each of us washing our dishes.

And then the rain came. Bev and I had our VW van … Perrine and Alex crawled in and out of a small two person tent. Perrine also had full length leg brace … recovering, we discovered, from a serious knee injury.

That evening, in the pouring rain, we invited them into the shelter of our van for tea. So there we were, the 4 of us gathered around this small table … perfect for 4. Somehow in and through what might have been barriers to connection -- their first language French, our only language English; Bev and I a good 35 years older -- yet the conversation flowed delightfully.

We discovered they were from France, with 6 months on hand to travel … having completed their studies in Montreal. This was their time to visit the western Canada before moving on to other parts of the world. While they were here, where else should they go? they wondered. Out come the maps … our suggestions. Vancouver Island was already on their list.  Before the evening was over, we found ourselves urging them to stay at our home while in Victoria … we wouldn’t be home yet but they’d be welcome to stay. We told them where to find the hidden key.

Tables are powerful places of encounter. Places where not only food but life is shared, even enlarged. Places where bonds are formed.

We arrived home to a note of thanks on the dining room table -- with chocolates!; and word of their return to Victoria for a day once we’d be home.  It was in those next few days we shared together that they invited us to their wedding in a year’s time. They really meant it. And at the time we actually imagined getting there. (We just didn’t know about Bev’s retirement!)

A few months ago, the formal wedding invitation arrived … with the gift and assurance of a place to stay. Maybe next year, around their first anniversary, we’ll celebrate with them in person.           The wonder is that there’s this completely unexpected, far flung affectionate connection triggered by sitting down around a table.

Jesus is keenly aware of the powerful place of the table in human relationships … as much aware of its power to separate and isolate and exclude as its power to connect and embrace.  In fact at the heart of Jesus’ ministry is his revolutionary practice of eating and drinking, socializing, with all manner of people … upending the rules that would keep people in their place, above or below or apart from one another.

Why?

Because God so desires for us another way -- new way-- of being human together. It’s that newness Jesus was bound and bent on showing us … opening us up to.  As a master storyteller he did it through parables … listen to this he’d say … and off he’d go, taking us with him into familiar zones except everything was different, kind of turned on its head.

That’s it … isn’t it … the way he took and turned things around.

And not only through his words … it was his way … his life … turning … turning toward the sick, the invisible, the hungry, the thirsty; turning toward the powerful, the wealthy, the righteous.          He’s forever turning … and turning us toward each other -- like there’s some treasure to be found there that won’t be found any other way!

This morning I’ve brought along a short piece* that picks up on that passage of scripture Paul read to us …  I’ll read it several times … with silence between … giving us time to ponder what we’ve heard. There may be a particular phrase or word that tugs at you … or a flash of insight or a question that arises. In the silence, stay with that word or phrase … let it turn over in your mind / your heart … without forcing anything, let it speak to you.

You may wish to close your eyes … take a moment to settle in your seat … feet on the floor … bringing yourself into this time relaxed yet alert.


When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet,
do not sit down at the place of honor,
in case someone more distinguished than you
has been invited by your host.
—Luke 14.8

Don’t think poorly of yourself; that’s not it.
Remember you are God’s Beloved,
in whom God is delighted.
And in humility remember the same of others.
God has no hierarchy, no preferences, only love.

Be aware of the supremacy you internalize,
assuming for yourself a higher place
because you are white or male or not crazy,
in all the ways we favor and judge.

Resolve this day to meet everyone knowing
they are as honored as you or anyone you honor.
In your heart and mind give them the place of honor.
For it is only in giving honor that we receive it.

Notice the thousand ways we sort and rank,
the ways we assign goodness and privilege,
the hierarchies we imagine into being.
Defy them.

At God’s table royalty and outcast sit side by side
and are indistinguishable.
Spend your life at that table
and become indistinguishable from God.

*[Steve Garnaas-Holmes, "Place of honor", posted on August 23, 2016]

 

 

　

　

　

　

 

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