Eating with the Wrong People

Devotional Reflection, Wednesday, November 13, 2024

Proper 27, the week of the twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost

The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.

Key phrases for reflection from today’s Gospel reading:

15:1Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’. . . . 6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” 7Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. . . .9When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” 10Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’

You will find the full text of this Gospel reading at the end of this reflection.

Daily Office Lectionary Readings (BCP, 993)

AM Psalm 119:97-120; PM Psalm 81, 82

Joel 2:12-19; Rev. 19:11-21; Luke 15:1-10

David’s Reflections

These parables sprang from conflict over Jesus’ meal ministry.  Those scrupulous about their religious purity, those who maintained boundaries at the expense of those hungering for God, felt squeamish about Jesus’ practice of eating with those they considered unclean and outcast.  Why would Jesus do such a thing?

Episcopal author Sara Miles once quipped, ""By eating with the wrong people, you learn something about God." + Jesus’ meal ministry reveals God as loving all of us equally. Jesus shared God’s desire to express saving love to all people.  That practicer put pressure on the strictly religious to include these same people in their circle, something they were loath to do.

These two parables about lost sheep and coins that prompt frantic searching reveal some rather basic aspects of God’s identity.  For one thing God misses us when we’re away.  God values us, prizes us, and won’t rest until s/he recovers our companionship. And, God misses all of us not just those whose lifestyles fall within the acceptable norms.  Jesus said elsewhere that he had come to seek and to save that which was lost  (Mark 10:45).

Also, eating with the wrong people reveals that this seeking God loves a party.  Jesus’ meals with outcasts were marked by plenty of wine, food,  and laughter (see  Luke 7 where Jesus gets criticized for eating and drinking too much).  Jesus tells the religious curmudgeons that God gets excited when anyone returns and lives in God’s love.  God throws a party in heaven  and God and the angels and the heavenly hosts celebrate with joy. Only those who resent our eating with the marginalized will grumble outside the party.

So, how should the church feel while people are wandering out there, missing from God’s embrace of forgiveness and transformation?  We should be missing those people, longing for them to share the assurance, salvation, and nurture we know.  Like the seeking shepherd and the sweeping woman, we should be tireless until we find what has been lost to God and to us. And, our churches should be places filled with joy and celebration and thanksgiving for those responding to the finding love of God.

Grief over the missing and joy over the returning.  Those emotions will fill a church with seeking and welcoming energy.  And, those emotions will put us in synch with the grieving and seeking and celebrating God who came seeking us in Jesus and comes to us as Holy Spirit. Our Eucharistic feast each Lord's day celebrates God's coming to us and our being drawn to that God in love.

As Sara Miles reminds us, ""By eating with the wrong people, you learn something about God.” + What have you learned about God by eating with the wrong people? I would dare say all of us have shared all too few meals with the wrong people. But we can change that.

+Sara Miles, cited in The Christian Century, Vol. 127:  No, 10, May 18, 2010, p. 9

Collect of the Day, Proper 27, the twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost

O God, whose blessed Son came into the world that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves as he is pure; that, when he comes again with power and great glory, we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.  (BCP, 236)

A Collect for Grace

Lord God, almighty and everlasting Father, you have brought us in safety to this new day: Preserve us with your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin, nor be overcome by adversity; and in all we do, direct us to the fulfilling of your purpose; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 100)

For the Sick

Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve your sick servants, and give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that those (or N., or NN.) for whom our prayers are offered may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  (BCP, 260)

A Prayer for Light

O Lord God Almighty, as you have taught us to call the evening, the morning, and the noonday one day; and have made the sun to know its going down: Dispel the darkness of our hearts, that by your brightness we may know you to be the true God and eternal light, living and reigning for ever and ever. Amen.  (BCP, 110)

A Collect for Mission

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (BCP, 101)

Daily Office Gospel, Luke 15:1-10

15:1Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’ 3So he told them this parable: 4‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 5When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. 6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” 7Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 8‘Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? 9When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.” 10Just so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.’

Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer

Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer

Noonday Prayer, p. 103, Book of Common Prayer

Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p. 109, Book of Common Prayer

Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer

Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer

Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer