Eleventh Sunday after Trinity
Hebrews 13.1–8, 15–16 Luke 14.1, 7–14
How do we see ourselves in our own imagination. Do we consider that we are part of the pinnacle of society, one that many people can look up to and say ‘he or she’ has done well with their life. They've surrounded themselves with all manner of luxury items. They have finances such that they have no worries. They can dress up in some of the trendiest of fashions. To live like that can be both a blessing and a curse
Jesus used the example of a meal. Guests had been invited to dine with others. When you are invited to such a meal do you find that as you enter the dining room you first look to see if there is a seating plan prepared and if so you locate your position.
If you cannot find there is a seating plan you then go to search out your friends, people you know, aiming to sit at table near to them. But you may find that they are busily engaged in a conversation that does not involve you, or for some reason your presence is not possible because you cannot get near them before the dinner gong sounds. Disaster, all the seats around your friends have been taken. The other possibility is that you feel that you ought to be near the top of the table, to be as near to the host as you can, so that you may be noted.
However, our standing in society is not for us to judge or assess. Especially our financial standing. It should not be used to work out our social standing. In the letter to the Hebrews which we heard from today, we're warned keep our lives free from the love of money. To be content with what we have. Jesus will never leave us.
We may be standing in the middle of a deserted beach with sands stretching out far away from us, and not another soul in sight. Standing there with nothing in our pockets and no bags we are totally alone, and with no possessions. If we have a problem we wish to talk about, a subject we wish to discuss, or something we wish to try to resolve, being in a wilderness is probably the last place to be. I refer to the poem ‘Footprints’. It tells of how a single set of footprints in the sand belong to the one who is supporting you in your life. Jesus will not forsake us, or abandon us, no matter what condition we may find ourselves in. Jesus is always there. He, no matter how far away he may seem to be, is there for us.
We are told “the Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?” Have trust in the Lord and accept the position that you have. At the meal table let the host determine where you should sit and accept that position with grace.
We're told to look towards our leader. Here we're looking at our spiritual leader, the one who speaks the word of God to us. In the person of our spiritual leader we should be able to understand their teaching. The Word of God is of little use to us if we do not understand its content. Similarly in all other matters if we do not hear what they say or obey their instruction, then we are in a position of not improving ourselves.
Back to the controversial meal. It is not up to us to decide where we sit based upon how we feel ourselves to be in society. God is our judge. God is the only one who can judge us. Our place in society is known to God alone. However, in God’s eyes we are all equal. We are all his children. One is no better than another. So, if we view each other as God views us, We see each other as pure equals.
Collect for the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity
O God, you declare your almighty power
most chiefly in showing mercy and pity:
mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace,
that we, running the way of your commandments,
may receive your gracious promises,
and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.