Humility and Hospitality

CALL TO WORSHIP

There is a place for all of us in God’s family. No one is excluded, left behind or barred from entry. Everyone is welcome in God’s family. No one will be shunned, given the cold shoulder or snubbed. Look around you right now. Welcome one another – we and many others are all part of God’s family.

HYMN

Meekness and majesty, manhood and deity (StF 362)

GATHERING PRAYER

Welcoming God, thank you that we all have a place at your table; thank you that we sit alongside the lowly, the disadvantaged members of our society who are disregarded; thank you that you turn everything upside down and give priority to the poor not the powerful. May we learn more about genuine humility and how to make a place for everyone. Amen.

Here in this place, we gather, physically and spiritually. We come before you, God, surrounded by others. Together we seek your word, your truth, your love. Together we share your space, your place. Together, with each other, we are yours and you are ours. Amen.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION

Forgive us, O God, for those times, too often, when we have felt ourselves to be more important than others. Forgive us, O God, for those times when we have excluded people from a welcome. Forgive us, O God, when we have seen others as of less worthy than us. Forgive us, O God, when we have failed to be hospitable. Forgive us, O God, when we have ignored need on our doorsteps. Forgive us, O God, we pray. Amen.

O God, why you forgive us when we treat others badly, we do not know, but you do. Why you offer us such forgiveness amazes us day by day. We are not worthy of your love, time and attention and yet we hear echoes of your words: ‘You are forgiven, go and be my people’. Amen.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father who art in heaven,

Hallowed be thy name,

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done.

On earth as it is in heaven,

Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those that trespass against us,

And lead us not into temptation,

But deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory,

Forever and ever Amen.

HYMN

Come, let us sing of a wonderful love (StF 443)

COLLECTION

READING 1

Ecclesiasticus 10: 12-18

The beginning of human pride is to forsake the Lord; the heart has withdrawn from its Maker. For the beginning of pride is sin, and the one who clings to it pours out abominations. Therefore the Lord brings upon them unheard-of calamities, and destroys them completely. The Lord overthrows the thrones of rulers, and enthrones the lowly in their place. The Lord plucks up the roots of the nations, and plants the humble in their place. The Lord lays waste the lands of the nations, and destroys them to the foundations of the earth. He removes some of them and destroys them, and erases the memory of them from the earth. Pride was not created for human beings, or violent anger for those born of women.

READING 2

Luke 14: 1, 7-14

On 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.

Humility and Hospitality

When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honour, he told them a parable. ‘When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honour, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, “Give this person your place”, and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, “Friend, move up higher”; then you will be honoured in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’

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.’

HYMN

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord! (StF 186)

SERMON

Have you ever faced an interview panel, maybe for a new job and can you remember how you felt?

It’s a stressful situation, you may put on a brave face but no matter how confident you feel the nerves start to get to you, especially if the people you face look stern!

I remember being interviewed over a meal, there were three people present, all friendly and pleasant, the conversations were general but then moved to the nitty gritty.

Why do you think you would be suitable for the job?

What do you think you would bring to the business?

In our reading from Luke this morning I think Jesus faced the same situation, although he definitely handled it better than you or I would.

 We heard in the very first verse, That the Pharisees. We're watching him closely.

Watching him closely!

This meal was certainly designed to challenge Jesus. You can imagine the start of the meal may have set out very cordial, but the underlying reason for the invite would be present. What better way to question Jesus and test him away from the crowds.

For a start it was on the Sabbath the day of rest, the part we don’t have in lectionary tells us that a man with dropsy come in. possibly set up by the Pharisees to see what Jesus would do. Jesus says to the lawyers and Pharisees “Is it lawful to cure people on the Sabbath, or not?” but they were silent. Jesus then heals the man. By now the leaders must have felt they were losing ground.

Jesus then turns to a question of:

Humility and Hospitality

In verses 7 through 14, Jesus shares a parable It seems it’s a setting of social hierarchy; you may have seen it in your life the subtle games people play to claim honor and recognition. To sit next to the perceived important person in the Church.

Yet, in the midst of this, Jesus gives teaching on humility, hospitality, and the nature of God’s kingdom—a message that continues to challenge and inspire us today.

It reflects on the reading from Ecclesiasticus that warns us about losing sight of God, that pride leads to desire for one’s self-promotion.

A World of Honour and Status

Ancient Jewish society, much like ours today, was aware of social status. Banquets and feasts were opportunities not just for food, but to display one’s rank and importance.

The table was set with places of honor and places of lesser status, and the guests tried to get the best seats, those closest to the host, making them more visible to the crowd.

I suppose rather like weddings today being near the Bride and Groom are the best seats.

Jesus sees this scramble for status. He sees how people jockey for recognition, in a way of trying to prove their worth.

Perhaps we find ourselves in similar situations in the past —at work, at school wanting to a Prefect a badge of honor, even within our families—where we long to be seen, to be acknowledged, to be valued above others.

If you like the table at Pharisee’s house can become a mirror for our own desires and insecurities.

The Parable of the Wedding Feast: A Lesson in Humility

Jesus tells a story: “When you are invited to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor.” Why? Because someone more distinguished may appear, and you risk humiliation as you are asked to move down.

Instead, take the lowest place, so the host may invite you higher.

 In this simple wisdom is a profound spiritual truth: humility leads to honor, while pride leads to shame.

“For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

This reverses what the world expects. The world teaches us to climb higher, to seek greatness, to seize what we feel we deserve.

Jesus teaches the opposite be humble, and God will raise you up. Honour in the kingdom of God is not grabbed for but is given; it is not earned by self-promotion but given by grace.

The Posture of Our Hearts

Humility is not a denial of our gifts. It is the recognition that all we have is by God’s grace, and that those around us are worthy of honor as much as we are. True humility is confident, not insecure; it allows us to celebrate others’ successes, to serve without seeking reward, to listen more than we speak.

At the banquet of life, humility means choosing the seat that serves rather than the seat that shines. It means offering the spotlight to others, trusting that our worth is secure in God’s love. In a world obsessed with rankings and recognition, Christ calls us to a different way—a way of quiet strength, generous spirit, and deep peace.

Hospitality Without Expectation

Jesus then turns to the host, expanding the lesson beyond personal humility to real generosity. “When you give a dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbours... But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.”

Can you imagine doing that here is a challenge to the very fabric of social life. We tend to welcome those who can give back, who can enhance our reputation. Often our banquets are invitations of giving to get maybe not in material things but as being known as generous. Jesus’ vision is radically different. He calls us to invite those who can’t repay those on society’s margins: the forgotten, the overlooked, the excluded.

This is not just charity. It is the heart of the Gospel. God’s love reaches out to all, regardless of status, ability, or wealth. The table of the kingdom is set for those who have nothing to offer but themselves. When we open our homes, our hearts, our lives to the poor and the broken, we reflect the very character of God.

Humility and Hospitality Today

What does this mean for us? First, it is a call to examine our own hearts for pride what it is we are seeking. Are we looking for recognition rather than service?

Are we measuring our worth by the seats we occupy rather than by the love we give?

Second, it invites us to practice radical hospitality. Not just to friends and family, but to strangers, to those who have nothing to offer, to the poor and the lonely. This might mean volunteering, befriending someone on the margins, offering help without expecting something in return. It means making space at our tables— in our lives—for those who need the welcome most.

Third, it assures us that God sees and honors such generosity. “You will be blessed,” Jesus promises, “and you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” The rewards of hospitality may not be seen in this life, but God’s pleasure is on those who mirror divine love.

 A Vision for the Church

The church is called to be a community where humility and hospitality reign. Our gatherings, our worship, our service should reflect the upside-down values of God’s kingdom.

The table is wide, there are plenty of seats, and all are welcome—not because they deserve it, but because God’s mercy.

May we be a people who choose the lower seat who honor others above ourselves, who open our homes and hearts to those in need. This is the way of Christ; this is the banquet he sets for us.

 Welcoming All to the Feast

As we reflect on Luke 14:7-14, let’s remember that the true place of honor in God’s kingdom is found not in seeking it, but in humbly serving and welcoming others.

The invitation is for all—to come, to be loved, to share in the feast. May our lives be marked by humility and generosity, and may we be blessed as we bless others, trusting that God will exalt the lowly and welcome the outcast.

Let us go, then, to set wide the table, to take the lower seat, and to invite everyone—especially those the world overlooks—into the joy of God’s eternal banquet.

Amen

HYMN

Make me a channel of your peace (StF 707)

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION

As we enter prayer now, we pause to be still; to breath slowly, to recentre my scattered senses upon the presence of God.

Lord, we thank you for the past week. We pause for a moment to think of occasions where: we met someone who made us stop and think about something in a new way; we used one of our gifts to help someone; we recognised you in the face of a friend or stranger; we saw something beautiful. Thank you for all that we have learnt…and seen…and done…and felt…this week, because all the while you were there with us.

This week we have been thinking about inclusivity, about welcoming everyone because we are all made equal and equally loved by you.

Lord, thank you that we have a place at your table: help us to welcome everyone in your name.

We think of people who we have met, or who have crossed our paths this week who are different from us. Maybe they are homeless and living on the street; maybe they are educated beyond what we could ever dream of; maybe they are from a different background; maybe there they are different for another reason. Lord, each of these people is known to you and loved by you. Help us to learn to see everyone as you see them.

Lord, thank you that we have a place at your table: help us to welcome everyone in your name.

Lord, we pray for all who have had to flee from their homes and build a new life somewhere else. Those who have left because of climate change, their livelihoods no longer viable because of the climate. We remember those who have had to leave because of war or famine, those who have been trafficked, those who have run away because of fear. Lord, all of these people are precious to you even though they may seem almost hidden from us. We thank you for those who work with them and help them and pray that they will regain their sense of self-worth.

Lord, thank you that we have a place at your table: help us to welcome everyone in your name.

Lord, we lift to you all those who need a particular touch from you at this time. We pray for [and name aloud/in our hearts] those known to us who are sick; those awaiting consultations or operations; those who are grieving; those who are lonely or housebound. We ask you to make yourself known to them through us.

Lord, thank you that we have a place at your table: help us to welcome everyone in your name.

We pray that our church will be a place of refuge, where anyone and everyone feels safe and welcomed, where all who enter may find love and the joy of community that comes from you. But this place is not the only place where you are at work and living… we think of our workplaces, our homes, our schools, our communities – all places where you are living and active. When we leave this place of worship, open our eyes and ears to see where you are at work and to follow and serve you there.

Lord, thank you that we have a place at your table: help us to welcome everyone in your name.

HYMN

Your hand, O God, has guided your flock, from age to age (StF 692)

BLESSING

Lord, go with us today as we think about including all people. Inspire us to pray for those in our own neighborhood who are often excluded. Inspire us to be active in seeking to include others and find a place for everyone in our community. Thank you that no one is beyond your love and care. Help us to be people who live and spread that message. Amen.