We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on January 3, 2013.
Prayer: Help us to be ready for your banquet, God, and may we not say we cannot come. Amen. Reading: Matthew 22: 1-14 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Additional Questions:
Reflection: I attended a pig roast once at the farm of one of my summer colleagues. She had invited us all over to her family's annual event. We had a good time playing games and eating together. It was a nice way to spend a summer evening. The funniest thing that happened that day, though, happened when I was standing in line, getting my food from the buffet table. I was scooping up some roasted pig when I heard one of my friends say, "My, these people sure know how to throw a party. I wonder who they are, anyway?" I started laughing, because of course, she knew the hosts and was an invited guest. The look on the faces of the strangers around us was priceless. They thought she was serious and had crashed the pig roast. The master invited many to his wedding feast, but they did not come. They had other obligations and commitments. So, the master told his servants to go out and get whoever they could to attend the feast. He wanted to share the event even with those he did not know. This parable was put to music in a song we sing at camp. I think the final verse sums it up well: "Now God has written a lesson for the rest of mankind, If we're slow in responding He will leave us behind He's preparing a banquet for that great and glorious day When the Lord and Master calls we can be certain not to say, I cannot come!" --Chad Hershberger
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