Day 14 – Hospitality and the Kingdom
Reflect: “How can meals, homes, friendships, and hospitality become places where God’s Kingdom is made visible?”
Genesis 18:1-15
1The Lord appeared to Abraham near the great trees of Mamre while he was sitting at the entrance to his tent in the heat of the day. 2Abraham looked up and saw three men standing nearby. When he saw them, he hurried from the entrance of his tent to meet them and bowed low to the ground. 3He said, “If I have found favor in your eyes, my lord, do not pass your servant by. 4Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree. 5Let me get you something to eat, so you can be refreshed and then go on your way—now that you have come to your servant.”“Very well,” they answered, “do as you say.” 6So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of the finest flour and knead it and bake some bread.” 7Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared, and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree. 9“Where is your wife Sarah?” they asked him.“There, in the tent,” he said. 10Then one of them said, “I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.”Now Sarah was listening at the entrance to the tent, which was behind him. 11Abraham and Sarah were already very old, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?” 13Then the Lord said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ 14Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.” 15Sarah was afraid, so she lied and said, “I did not laugh.”But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”
Luke 14:12-24
12Then Jesus said to the host: "When you prepare a meal, don't invite your friends, relatives or your wealthy neighbours, for they will only invite you back in return, so repaying you.13No, when you have a party invite the poor, the crippled, those who are lame or blind.14Then you will be blessed because they are unable to repay you. Instead you will be rewarded when God's children are raised from the dead."Give up all to follow Jesus15On hearing this, one of those at the table with Jesus said to Him: "He who has a place at God's Kingdom feast is truly blessed!"16Jesus replied: "A certain man prepared a great feast to which he invited many people.17When everything was ready he sent his servants to them all saying: 'Come, everything has been prepared.'18But they each began to make their excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a farm and I must go and see it. I ask you to excuse me.'19Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen and I am going to try them out. Please excuse me.'20And another said, 'I have just been married, so I cannot come.'21-22"The servant came and reported these responses to his master, which made him angry. So he ordered his servant, 'Quickly, go out into the streets and pathways of the city and bring the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame to the feast.' Later the servant said, 'Master, I have done what you ordered and there is still room for more guests.'23"'Well go into the country roads and make others come so that my house is full.24For I tell you clearly that none of those who were originally invited shall taste any of the feast!'"
Thank you Jesus, that You make us a people who know and live in Your love, proclaim Your good news, welcome the stranger, serve our neighbours and participate together in Your mission. Show us those You are reaching, and give us eyes to see, ears to hear, courage to respond and love for the people around us.