The poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind!

Luke 14:15-24

15 Hearing this, a man sitting at the table with Jesus exclaimed, “What a privilege it would be to get into the Kingdom of God!” 16 Jesus replied with this illustration: “A man prepared a great feast and sent out many invitations. 17 When all was ready, he sent his servant around to notify the guests that it was time for them to arrive. 18 But they all began making excuses. One said he had just bought a field and wanted to inspect it, and asked to be excused. 19 Another said he had just bought five pair of oxen and wanted to try them out. 20 Another had just been married and for that reason couldn’t come. 21 “The servant returned and reported to his master what they had said. His master was angry and told him to go quickly into the streets and alleys of the city and to invite the beggars, crippled, lame, and blind. 22 But even then, there was still room. 23 “‘Well, then,’ said his master, ‘go out into the country lanes and out behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full. 24 For none of those I invited first will get even the smallest taste of what I had prepared for them.’” 

Food for thought!

Did you notice that in yesterday's gospel reading Jesus said something he repeats today? Yesterday he said, "when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back." Today he invites "the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind." Jesus had warned us yesterday not to invite our friends and family and rich neighbors, the kind of people who will return the favor. Today, these people have "all began making excuses. One said he had just bought a field and wanted to inspect it, and asked to be excused. Another said he had just bought five pair of oxen and wanted to try them out. Another had just been married and for that reason couldn’t come."

In today's gospel reading, the invited betrayed the banquet owner. And as you can see, they were all well to do people: one bought a field and wanted to inspect it; another bought five pair of oxen and wanted to try them out; another had married. It is no news to know that only those close to you can betray you; those from your inner circle; those who have walked with you on a personal, intimate level. No wonder that the master in today's gospel got angry at them: "none of those I invited first will get even the smallest taste of what I had prepared for them."

Since only our friends can hurt and disappoint and let us down, Jesus advises us to give to those that cannot hurt us: the beggars, crippled, lame, and blind. These people are too weak to hurt us in any way; they have nothing we don't have. Besides, giving to such people as these brings us blessings, whereas giving to such people are the rich, brings us hurt and disappointment. 

"Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed." (Proverbs 19:17).

"Give to the needy. Provide yourselves with moneybags that do not grow old, with a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys." (Luke 12:33).