Humble Confidence

Luke 14:1-2; 7-14

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the church from the Gospel of Luke: 

1On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. 2 Just then, in front of him, there was a man who had dropsy.

7 Jesus went on to address a parable to the guests, noticing how they were trying to get a place of honor at the table. 8 “When you’re invited to a wedding party, don’t sit in the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished has been invited. 9 Otherwise the hosts might come and say to you, ‘Make room for this person,’ and you would have to proceed shamefacedly to the lowest place. 10 What you should do is go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your hosts approach you they’ll say, ‘My friend, come up higher.’ This will win you the esteem of the other guests. 11 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 12 Then Jesus said to the host, “Whenever you give a lunch or dinner, don’t invite your friends or colleagues or relatives or wealthy neighbors. They might invite you in return and thus repay you. 13 No, when you have a reception, invite those who are poor or have physical infirmities or are blind. 14 You should be pleased that they can’t repay you, for you’ll be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God