28 Aug SUNDAY, AUGUST 28, 2022

As one who hates embarrassment, I rarely choose a seat without first being invited. I try to observe who’s already seated, then figure out who they are in relation to the host or whoever’s most important. As one who also tries to avoid being wrong, my general rule is: play it safe while showing respect.

If we find ourselves more often a guest than the host, the scenario Jesus described is fairly common. We often attend family gatherings, church gatherings, or social gatherings. Depending on whether we belong, feel a right to claim space, or play an important role in the group, we choose seats accordingly. Sometimes, we bring our own chairs. What that means could spark a whole other sermon, lol.

In Jesus’ time, honor and shame were driving forces of society. They dictated not only personal behavior but industry and commerce, the production and exchange of goods. That Jesus was invited to a leader’s of the Sadducees home for a meal, was in itself, a notable honor.

From the time we are small children, we understand that our status can be elevated or diminished by invitation or rejection. Status is ambiguous in some settings, more defined in others. That’s why I loved working at hospitals. Everyone wearing a cotton gown half tied and half opened at the back becomes equal. Surrounded by a standard setting each person is humbled by the fact they’re there and nowhere else.

Equality was also apparent recently at Hershey Park. There we were, for over an hour, waiting in line without priority. Potential riders of the Breakers Edge Water Coaster waited, regardless of income, age, body type, and style of dress. What some people wore might be seen as more or less expensive, but in general, we were on the same level, exposed to the sun or shaded as we wound back and forth among the chained aisles, sprayed by the same misting fans.

Attending an office gathering at Steve’s boss’s house was another story. I’d never laid eyes on any of them and was only introduced to each by name. No one wore a badge displaying their title. Being summer, each was dressed casually. I knew there was a hierarchy among them, but couldn’t figure out who was who. I had to treat each with respect.

The hosts did a nice job of greeting each guest with hospitality. Familiarity became more obvious as conversations flowed, but rank did not. Some sat and others stood over wine and horderves. When it came to the main meal and place settings, there were two head chairs, as usual. The two highest level managers took seats at either end. Other employees and spouses fell in. Of the two highest ranked, one played host and insisted on being served last. The other made every effort to downplay his importance.

Sometimes learning to be humble requires seeing the behavior modeled by persons who deserve priority.
Sometimes it’s important to realize that in certain venues your importance doesn’t matter.

What matters is leading by example and the practice of humility. I appreciate seeing congregation members adjust when people sit in their “regular spots” rather than insist that others adjust to their preference. Those are encouraging signs of flexibility and tolerance, setting a good example and practicing humility: important traits of healthy welcoming churches.

It’s important too, not to get offended if we aren’t invited to occupy a place of prominence. I know that some of you don’t like being elevated to a place of prominence. Others don’t mind and step up as needed. Still others may feel like they haven’t been asked to participate in ways to their liking. I admit to feeling all those things, off and on.

Being a pastor doesn’t garner the same status everywhere. At Community Aid clergy fall into the same category as first responders and military personnel recognized for their sacrifice and service to humanity. During the Annual Farm Show week in Harrisburg, I tried to use my clerical status to get a discounted ticket to the professional rodeo on Thursday night. The guy selling tickets looked more than irritated and almost angry that I asked.

It’s natural for humans to argue why they deserve special consideration or become offended when someone asks for it and doesn’t seem to deserve it. Think of the last time a person cut you off or impatiently passed you in traffic. Were you mad because they forgot to signal or because they got ahead, because wherever they were going seemed more urgent, or because they had a bigger/faster/more expensive vehicle? I admit to feeling all those things, off and on.

At Hershey Park, I got irritated when folks with “Fast Passes” walked up and boarded while the rest of us waited an average of 120 minutes. Why should the few who can afford luxury avoid the pain and suffering of the masses? Well. It just so happens that that is not the question to ask. The question to ask is, “Why does envy and pride cause us to withdraw our hearts from loving God and each other?”

An alternative reading for today notes, “The beginning of pride is sin.” I think the reverse is also true. The beginning of sin is pride. An end verse stated, “Pride was not created for human beings nor violent anger for those born of women (Sirach 10:12-13a, 18).

Go figure. Other translations say that human arrogance begins when people withdraw, depart or transfer allegiance from the Lord, their maker. When their hearts rebel, attempt to make their own way, find shortcuts to status, pride and sin enter in.

Look at what makes a person “hold their head up with honor” according to the psalmist. Happy are those who fear the Lord and delight in God’s commandments, who are merciful and full of compassion, generous in lending and giving to the poor, who manage affairs with justice, aren’t afraid of evil rumors, and steadfastly trust in the Lord. Their heart is established and will not shrink. Persons such as these may not sit at the head or be elevated in status, but their righteousness stands forever.

In contrast, the wicked see others receiving privileges and become angry, gnash their teeth and pine away. “Do the right thing. Then you’ll be happy and God will be happy with you.” “Be humble. Let God elevate you.” All else is counterproductive and leads to misery.

Consider the rewards: happiness, delight, descendants who are mighty, future generations blessed by wealth and riches, lasting righteousness, light in darkness, not ever being shaken or afraid, a steadfast heart whose desire will be realized, a head held high with honor.

Not so fast, Jesus says. He’s the host who extends an invitation to persons of both high and low status. He reminds guests to not take a seat based on criteria in their heads. Don’t seek reward or repayment for expenditure on your part. Be hospitable. Give food, drink and accommodations to those who cannot reciprocate. If I’m honest, do I show respect and interest because I truly care or because I want to earn a good reputation?

In highly populated areas where competition is great, it’s common to experience people who only want to get ahead, who want to inch past you or pass in front, who aim for the best seats so their view is unobstructed and their time unwasted. Jesus reminds us that there is no such thing as time wasted if we make good use of it and treat people well even if we’ll never see them again.

You will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. How so, Jesus? For you have merely made the case that repayment is delayed and will be even more amazing at a later date when the righteous are resurrected in your presence and we are invited to an incredible banquet you will host. Yes. I guess that’s it. In every instance, we are the lucky ones, the invited, the ones able to host, who have friends, siblings, relatives and rich neighbors, are not poor, crippled, lame or blind.

Think positively. Be grateful; and Love Always.

I recently made a new message board for home that says three things I need to be reminded of. Think positively. Be grateful; and Love Always. Not only because God wants me to but because by doing so, I’ll be happier, won’t be afraid, and will feel blessed.

In turn, I’ll realize that I have more and want to give more. Delight is great pleasure. It’s not circumstantial. It does not depend on how we are received or acknowledged. It comes through inviting others to share what we have.
An attitude like that will bless future generations and be light in darkness. We will not be shaken nor afraid. Our hearts will beat steadfast and our heads will be held high if we understand our mission in life to be humble and of service. That’s the definition of honor. It’s not about being regarded with respect, but fulfilling an obligation and keeping an agreement.

Many people and church congregations shrink due to feelings of bitterness: anger and disappointment at being treated unfairly, or vengeance: wanting to punish or inflict retribution for injury or wrong. Last week Heb 12:24 called Jesus, the mediator of the new covenant whose spilt blood speaks a better word than the blood of Abel. The blood of Abel called out for vengeance. The blood of Christ called out for forgiveness.

Jesus himself did not declare a rightful seat of prestige at the table of religious leaders of his time. He who could’ve claimed the sabbath as his very own day, who is the host of every meal, became the most humble of all. As God in human flesh Jesus asks us to join him in playing host. Welcome with hospitality. Insist on serving others first. Be the last to sit. Offer everything to those who can pay nothing in return.

Let us pray. Dear Lord, being humble and blending in can either make us feel comfortable or lowly. In a world where status is often judged on income or appearances, it’s hard not to compete. Help us to find our worth in you and feel generous enough to play host. Give us patience to accept delays for reward and recognition. Teach us the value of each life regardless of what anyone can offer. In your holy name we pray. Amen.