UCA SA - Reflection of the Week

Reflection of the Week - 30th August 2022

By Rev Anne Hewitt

Posted Aug 30, 2022 in Faith

We all want a place at the table. To have the place that is near the most honoured person in the room, is a wonderful thing! To have a place at all, is an even greater gift.

In Luke 14:1, 7-14 Jesus speaks of a number of aspects – the honouring of hospitality, the honouring of the rules of societal hospitality and the honouring of the guests. As God’s people, we are called to honour each other and God’s creation, hospitably.

How can we balance the honouring of all with the societal norms in which we now live? It would have been a very confronting reading for the Lukan community to hear. It is difficult now for us to hear too.

What does this mean for our ecumenical table, where we draw the circle wide, and invite each other to sit alongside? What does it mean for us to be drawn into a welcoming fellowship, a mutuality of equals? What does it mean when we are receptive to each other, where we listen openly, and ‘dress’ ourselves in our best garments of gentle compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, forgiveness and love?

This table can have no higher and lower edges, no space that is more important than the other, and no rules that exclude on any manner of reason, because all are honoured equally as a welcomed guest … a place at the table indeed.