Table Manners

The Wedding at Cana (1686) Giuseppe Maria Crespi, Art Institute of Chicago

READ: Once Jesus was invited to a dinner at the home of a religious leader on the Sabbath. There were many people there and many were trying to find the best seat for themselves, sitting close to the host at the table, which would be a place of honor for the dinner. 
Jesus told those listening, “When someone invites you for dinner, don’t rush to take the best seats. Keep in mind there may be someone more special that the host might want to sit in those seats.” After all Jesus said, you’d feel better if the host came to you and asked you to move to a better seat, than if they told you that you were in the wrong place and asked you to give up your seat for someone else. Be yourself, no more, no less.
Then he told the host of the dinner, imagine if you didn’t invite your friends and family or even your rich neighbors to your next banquet. Instead, next time invite those who never get an invitation--the poor, those for whom life has been hard. If you do that, you’ll be blessed. And so will they, your guests who can’t return the favor of a fancy dinner. (Luke 14:1-14)

WONDER: 
I wonder how Jesus felt when he saw people elbowing others to get to the best seat at the table?
I wonder how it feels to be invited to sit at a special place at a party?
I wonder how it feels to be asked to move to a different place?
I wonder if an invitation can change your life?

PRAY: Dear God, we thank you for the tables we have sat around, for meals with friends and family, for the stories told and the laughter shared. Help us to welcome others, to offer a place to those who are waiting for an invitation. Amen.
​
EXTEND

• Imagine you are throwing a party. What kind of party would it be? What special things would you include? Who would you invite? Using your favorite art materials, design an invitation to your party. 
• Read Night Out by Daniel Miyares. With pictures and few words, this book tells the story of a lonely young boy who is at boarding school. One night he discovers his pet turtle is gone, and a mysterious invitation has been left for him. Climbing out the window, he finds his turtle, and after a great adventure he makes his way to a fantastical party. When he returns to his school, he finds that telling his story is a great way to make a new friend. How does the boy respond to the special invitation? What changes? In what ways is this story similar to Jesus’s words to the host of his dinner party?

---