Sermon Text: Luke 14:1, 7-14
That we may turn from competition and status seeking to genuine hospitality for others
Jesus, You see us in both our subtle and
crass moments of competition with one another. You observe when we try to
obtain the most favorable positions for ourselves and try to get others to
think that we are one of the important ones to whom they should defer. You also
see how fragile our egos are and how easily we are humiliated when our efforts
to put ourselves before our neighbors are thwarted.
Forgive us for acting in unneighborly ways
in situations that call for thoughtful, neighborly love. Forgive us for being
overly conscious of our status and reputation.
Forgive us, also, for turning hospitality
into an occasion for putting others in our debt and seeking payback.
Transform our hearts. Turn us away from
competition to support, value and honor others. Turn us away from making
transactions that cause others to feel indebted to us, toward generous sharing
and communion, including with those who might never pay us back.
May the generous, welcoming compassion of
Jesus characterize our relationships with others. Amen.
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