Luke 14:1,7-14
Lead in: Jesus was once invited to a dinner party where many of the high rollers in town were in
attendance. Not being afraid to speak his mind, Jesus tells a parable that hits close to home for many of the invited guests. He said, in effect, “When you host a dinner party, do not invite just the ‘beautiful people’. Rather, invite the ‘misfits’ who everyone wants to avoid or are embarrassed to be with. Do this and you’ll be a blessing to others.”
Prompt: Who are the misfits who don’t fit the category of those who were thought of as the
“beautiful people”?
Prompt: Have you ever felt like a misfit? Why?
Prompt: In what sense might Eucharist be called a banquet for misfits?
Lead in: As one of the invited guests, all had their eyes on Jesus watching his every move. They were waiting for Jesus to do or say something that wasn’t according to protocol. Then they’d have something on him.
Prompt: Have you ever had an experience when all eyes were on you, waiting for you to make a mistake? How did you handle the pressure of that situation and what did you learn from it?
Lead in: Jesus tells a story where a guest has taken the seat of a dignitary and is asked to move. The guest then has to make his way back to where he belongs, which is quite embarrassing.
Embarrassing situations like that can be humbling. Yet there are those who say we should pray for
at least one humiliation a day. Why would that be?
Prompt: If there were wisdom in praying for at least one humiliation a day, what do you think it might be? Is it a prayer that you need to pray? Why?
Lead in: “Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled and everyone who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 14 Those who exalt themselves, as if they are better than everyone else, invariably fall flat on their face. On the other hand, if you can simply be yourself there’s nothing to fear. You’ve done the work of getting your ego out of the way.
Prompt: Was there a time when, without realizing it, you were “exalting yourself” with your ego
getting in the way? What did you learn from that?
Lead in: Jesus often spoke of a banquet that is not just for the elite of the world. It’s a banquet to which all are invited. That includes those who are seen as undeserving, like the misfits of our world.
Prompt: What does this say to you about the Eucharistic banquet that we are invited to each
Sunday?