All Are Welcome

Suggested Bible Reading

Once more Jesus spoke to them in parables, saying: "The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his slaves to call those who had been invited to the wedding banquet, but they would not come. Again he sent other slaves, saying, 'Tell those who have been invited: Look, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready; come to the wedding banquet.' But they made light of it and went away, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his slaves, mistreated them, and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his troops, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his slaves, 'The wedding is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore into the main streets, and invite everyone you find to the wedding banquet.' Those slaves went out into the streets and gathered all whom they found, both good and bad; so the wedding hall was filled with guests.

-Matthew 22:1-10 (NRSV)

Today's Scripture God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. -1 Corinthians 1:27 (NRSV)

WHILE walking to church one Sunday morning, I saw a number of training students with physical handicaps going to church. A couple of them were in wheelchairs, a few on crutches, and others were limping along the way. My heart was moved to see these non-Christian friends making their way to the house of God. In contrast, many Christian families living on the campus who could also join in the Sunday worship service were busy with other activities.

These non-Christian students had come from various backgrounds to stay on the mission campus for one year to receive vocational training. Even though attending church was optional, they chose to attend and were attentive to the teachings.

While many Christians did not bother to attend Sunday worship, the church was still filled with people of other faiths who worshiped God with reverence and were blessed. A similar situation can be seen in today's reading. Friends and relatives who were invited to a wedding feast took the invitation lightly and did not attend. Yet the wedding hall was filled with guests who were common people but nevertheless responded to the invitation and were blessed and honored.

Pramila Barkataki (Uttar Pradesh, India)

Prayer

Lord, thank you for choosing us to be part of your family and giving us the privilege of worshiping you. Amen.

Thought for the Day How much of my time do I give to God?

Prayer Focus

People with disabilities learning a trade