Hospitality – 28 August 2022
Luke 14:1, 7–14 and Proverbs 25:6–7
The first parable Jesus shares while eating at the house of a Pharisaic leader is analogous to Proverbs 25:6–7. However, Jesus expands his teaching beyond what is found there. The first teaching is offered to the guests of the banquet; the second is directed toward the banquet’s host. It is reasonable to assume that Jesus is not simply talking about proper dinner party etiquette, but he is offering a lesson about life as citizens in the kingdom of God (cf. Luke 13:18–30, 14:15–24). The lesson for the guests: as you follow the host’s direction to locate your place at the table, so follow Christ’s direction as you claim your place in the kingdom. The lesson for the host: as Christ has given all he has, not for his own sake but for the sake of the world, so we are to offer all that we have at our disposal, not for our own benefit, but for the sake of all God’s people. –– Steven H. Fazenbaker
Jesus noticed what was happening at a banquet. It was a most common occurrence, which he took for granted, but used as an opportunity to teach. There were lots of reasons various people had claims on positions of prominence: their wealth, their learning, the age, their public position; and they used all those things to jockey for position.
Jesus holds up a different possibility: in considering the heavenly banquet, what might your position at the table be? Am I really in a position to vie for one of the prominent places, or would I be better off heading for the far end? . . .
Such humility helps us to find favor with God, the proverb reminds us. It is a way of life in which our self-interest is not our focus or preoccupation. It is striving for a proper relationship with God, who is God! Jesus offers a caution about reciprocal or mutual hospitality. Invite those who cannot repay you, extend yourselves to those who have nothing in return to give you. That is true love, because it is not done for what you will get back. True charity is given for the sake of others and not for my self-interest. –– Kenneth W. Schmidt
Hebrews 13:1–8, 15–16
At the letter’s conclusion, a final collection of teachings is offered to the members of the Christian Diaspora. First of all, “let mutual love continue,” and then “do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers” (vv 1–2). The word translated “mutual love” in verse 1 is philadelphia, traditionally rendered as “brotherly love” or “familial love.”
On the other hand, “show hospitality to strangers” in verse 2 is translated from the Greek philoxenias, or “love of strangers.” So the first two verses of Hebrews 13 instruct the readers/hearers to love not only the members of the church community, but also the stranger, the guest, the outsider, the one unknown. The charge to remember those in prison and those being persecuted most likely refers to fellow Christians who are suffering because of their faith. And finally, “let us continually offer a sacrifice of praise to God.” –– Steven H. Fazenbaker
Kenneth Schmidt, a Roman Catholic priest, served as pastor of St. Thomas More Catholic Student Parish of Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo College and co-founded the diocesan Trauma Recovery Program assisting adult survivors of childhood trauma.
Steven H. Fazenbaker, a United Methodist minister, is now Program Director of the Division of Student Life at the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.
Homily Service 43, no. 3 (2010): 132–138.