Dinner Conversations

The dinner table was often the venue for Jesus's teaching. It was over the dinner table that Jesus established the new covenant (Lk 22:14-23). The writer of the Letter to the Hebrews tells us "not to neglect to show hospitality to strangers." (Heb 13:2) Today's Gospel reading is about Jesus going to dinner at the house of a Pharisee (Lk 14:1). Jesus tells his host not to invite his rich friends, but to invite those who are unable to repay his hospitality (Lk 14:12-14). Our Tuesday nights are, in a small way, a response to this command. Sharing a meal with others is a great way to get to know people and for them to get to know us. One of the difficulties of courses like Alpha is what happens to people when the course is over. Getting to know the people of the church over a meal will help to bring them to worship on Sundays. The Tuesday meal is a mission event and should be a priority for all.