Radical Hospitality

Psalter

Psalm 81:10–16 NRSV

I am the Lord your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it. “But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels. O that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways! Then I would quickly subdue their enemies, and turn my hand against their foes. Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him, and their doom would last forever. I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

Opening Prayer

Almighty and everlasting God, who resists the proud and gives grace to the humble: Grant, we ask you, that we may not exalt ourselves and provoke your indignation, but bow down and receive the gifts of your mercy; Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God in glory for ever. Amen.

Pastoral Prayer

For some of us here today, Lord, we wish the summer would never end. We have enjoyed opportunities to travel, to relax, to break away from schedules and hectic calendars. For others, there is the thrill of entering the new season; looking forward to the challenges ahead. On this Labor Sunday we gather to receive your blessings once again, that we may recognize your presence in our lives and use the gifts that you have given to us in service to others. As we have offered names and situations to you in prayer for your compassionate healing love, we add our names as well. Heal our wounds, we pray. Enable us to be strong in our commitment to you by serving others in need. Keep us open always to your abiding love. For we ask this in Jesus’ Name. AMEN.

Scripture Lessons

Hebrews 13:1–3 NRSV

Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them; those who are being tortured, as though you yourselves were being tortured.

Luke 14:1 NRSV

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.

,

Luke 14:7–14 NRSV

When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, 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 honored 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 neighbors, 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.”

Introduction

Phi

2. Radical hospitality sees Jesus in everyone.

"And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’" ()

1. Radical hospitality begins with humility.

Philippians 5:8

Philippians 2:8 NRSV

he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross.

3. Radical hospitality is not for accolades here and now.

"but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal." ()

2. Radical hospitality sees Jesus in everyone.

Matthew 25:40 NRSV

And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’

Matthew 25:

3. Radical hospitality is not for accolades here and now.

Matthew 6:20 NRSV

but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal.

Benediction

Beloved of the Lord, go in peace, knowing that God's peace will be with you always. Go in service in God's world, helping those in need, sharing the gifts you have been given. Go in love, bring hope to all. AMEN.