FROM YOUR PASTOR...

I like to go to parties.  They’re fun!  They’re relaxing – and many times they’re interesting – and sometimes they’re just “ho-hum”.  You know the same people who have been at the last 20 parties – telling the same stories – espousing the same views.  On the other hand, sometimes there is someone I haven’t met before – and that’s really fun – someone new – with a different slant on things.  This person may have lived in different places – maybe even in another country.  As a result he or she can share experiences that can enlarge my views.  I might even learn something.  You know, Jesus also liked parties.  The Gospels tell us that many times Jesus went to parties.  In fact, he went to so many, and associated with so many different people, that some others started all kinds of rumors about him.  In the Lesson From Scripture (Luke 14.1, 7-14) for this week Jesus is at another party.  This time it is at the home of Simon a prominent Pharisee.  After watching the activities for a while, Jesus tells a parable.  Now, Jesus isn't just giving etiquette lessons about how to conduct yourself at a party.  And he's doing more than telling us a parable about how to live our lives.  He is teaching us about the Community of God.  Many times the Community of God has been likened to a party -- a party that will be hosted by God.  And God is a really different kind of host -- the kind of host that once the inviting starts, God doesn't know when to quit.  God just keeps on inviting and inviting and inviting -- any one who will come.  The invitations are not because of how good we are -- not because of our good works -- not because of our wealth or social status or our even how good we are at entertaining others with our stories and sense of humor.  The invitations from God to the banquet come only because of God's great love -- as God's free gift.  They cannot be earned -- they cannot be purchased – they come as a gift of grace and can only be accepted in faith.  I hope to see you Sunday so we continue to think about the great party God is hosting.

Love & Blessings,
Wes