“When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honour, he told them a parable. ‘When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honour, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, “Give this person your place”, and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, “Friend, move up higher”; then you will be honoured in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’” (Luke 14:7-11)  I am struck by verse 7 in this week’s Gospel passage.  One of the most important ways to understand a parable is to recognize what prompts the telling of the story.  In this case, Jesus has been noticing the way in which dinner guests were jockeying for the best position at the table.  One’s position at table revealed one’s relative status and so it was important to be seen as near to the host as one could be without going too far.  Because, going too far could lead to the shameful walk back to “one’s true place.”  Again, I am haunted by the face of Jesus here as he “notices” the (our) various efforts at gaining honor.  Haunted, because this is the one who voluntarily gives up honor so that others might be saved from their places of shame.  This is the one who was the actual host of the banquet who is willing to be driven out from the party in order that we might enter in.  This is Jesus the one who was asked, no, compelled to “move up higher” on a Roman cross.  But, this is now also the one who hosts the banquet to which we are all invited to dine with and upon him that we might find true honor and eternal life.  And finally, this is the one who bids us to let go of our own honor to find those who desperately need to know that they are loved and that there is a place for them beside the host who has noticed them in their degradation and calls them to himself.  Who do you know who needs to be invited to the feast?  Who do you know who needs to be reminded of the infinite value and honor that they have because of Jesus?  What a mighty God we serve.  Have a great week!