The Wedding Feast Parable*

When Jesus noticed how the guests then chose

the places honoured in the eyes of men

around about, for they thought (I suppose)

that being human, their worth was more when

the others round about saw you  that way;

and since some ranking slippage still occurs,

if you can get them seeing you as say

two ranks above, then surely you're no worse.

But if instead our worth is worked out from

the love that we've received - and passed along;

the love we have from God becomes so prom-

i-nent, a debt of love is not so wrong!

Al-ter-nat-ive-ly, if we learn to love

then we won't ever be concerned about

what others think of us (no claim, or shove)!

we'll want to sit near needy folk, no doubt.

Then Jesus told this parable: ‘When you're

invited by someone to celebrate

a wedding with a banquet (which is more

than just a party), listen to me straight,

“So, do not sit down at the highest place

of honour. Why is that? Well just in case

there's someone with a more distinguished face

than yours, who's been invited and needs space.

The host who has invited both of you,

may come and say to you, “Please give up to

this person now, your seat.” then in disgrace

you then must start to take the lowest place.

But when you are invited, go and sit

down at the lowest place, so that when it

comes time why then your host may say to you,

“Friend, move up higher” - You’ll be honoured to.

And all who sit at table there with you,

will see it and they'll know your standing's true.

For who exalts themselves will humbled be,

and humbling yourself exalts, you see!’

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He also said - to who invited him:

‘When you are planning special  things for folks,

or dinner-parties, just upon a whim,

don’t just invite your colleagues (women/blokes),

or brothers, relatives, or even or friends,

or neighbours, rich in many things, in case

they may invite you in return, thus ends

the interaction. When you clear a space

& give a banquet, see that you invite

the poor, the crippled, lame, and too the blind.

And you will then be blessed instead, you'll find,

’cause they cannot repay you. Blows your mind(!)

-  but you cannot outgive this Universe

so you will be repaid at very “end”,

which is the start of real living, no curse

es, leaving womb-world you're welcomed by “friend”!

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* When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honour, he told them a parable. 8 ‘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; 9 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. 10 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. 11 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’

12 He said also to the one who had invited him, ‘When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbours, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.’ Luke 14:7–14

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