Luke 14

Jesus at a Pharisee’s House

1One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched.

Luke 14:7-14
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7When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, he told them this parable: 8″When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this man your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. 11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

12Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

We, as a diverse body of believers seeking to live in the light and image of God in Christ, do affirm:
that every person has worth as a special and unique creation made in God’s image;
that in the Spirit of love, openness, and inclusiveness we welcome persons of every sexual orientation, race, nationality, ability, age and gender to participate fully in all
aspects of our Church’s life and ministry;
that as agents of reconciliation and wholeness we embrace justice and seek to support all who suffer discrimination or who are disenfranchised from the religious community;
that in light of the Gospel we will continue to comprehend and appreciate more fully our differences and gifts; that through grace our love for God and neighbor may flourish.