Holy Trinity Church, Westward Ho!

Reflections

Reflection from Brad Scott

Luke 14.12-24

He said also to the one who had invited him, ‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbours, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’

One of the dinner guests, on hearing this, said to him, ‘Blessed is anyone who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!’ Then Jesus said to him, ‘Someone gave a great dinner and invited many. At the time for the dinner he sent his slave to say to those who had been invited, “Come; for everything is ready now.” But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, “I have bought a piece of land, and I must go out and see it; please accept my apologies.” Another said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to try them out; please accept my apologies. “Another said, “I have just been married, and therefore I cannot come.” So the slave returned and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and said to his slave, “Go out at once into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.” And the slave said, “Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.” Then the master said to the slave, “Go out into the roads and lanes, and compel people to come in, so that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those who were invited will taste my dinner.” ’

Reflection

At first, Jesus speaks to a dinner host, challenging him to invite not just friends, family, or wealthy neighbours who can repay the favour, but “the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.” This flips the common idea of hospitality upside down. Real generosity isn’t about gaining social credit, it’s about showing kindness to those who can give us nothing in return. In God’s kingdom, such generosity is the true mark of righteousness.

Then Jesus tells the parable of the great banquet, where invited guests make excuses and refuse to come. The host is angry not just because his generosity is rejected, but because those who should have been eager to join in seem indifferent. So he opens the doors wide: to the outcasts, the outsiders, anyone willing to come.

The message is clear: God’s kingdom is open, abundant, and for everyone, but not everyone accepts the invitation. Some are too busy, too distracted, too proud. Others, those who are often overlooked receive the invitation with joy.

This parable challenges us in two ways:

First, it asks: Have we accepted God’s invitation? Or are we too caught up in our own plans and priorities to respond?
Second, it pushes us to ask: Who are we inviting into our lives? Are we only welcoming those who benefit us, or are we making space for the overlooked, the lonely, and the least?

God’s table is wide. The feast is ready. The only question is, will we come, and will we help others find their seat?

Let us Pray

Loving God,

You have prepared a great banquet and invited us to your table. Forgive us when we make excuses, when we are too busy, too distracted, or too proud to respond to You. Teach us to welcome others the way You welcome us not for what they can give, but because they are loved by You. Help us to open our hearts and our homes to those who are forgotten, lonely, or in need.

Make us people who say “yes” to Your invitation with joy, and who help others find their place at Your table. Let Your kingdom come in us, through acts of kindness, humility, and grace.

In Jesus’ name we pray,

Amen.