Scripture: Philippians 2:1-4. Psalm 131:1-3. Luke 14:12-14

Some people, especially "innocent" college students, are shocked when they read about Jesus chasing the money changers out of the Temple presincts. He makes a cord of rope and drives them out, animals and merchants. They see this as an act of anger. The Scriptures point out that he was doing this out of zeal for the Lord's house which should not be made a den of thieves. Jesus was not acting out of political correctness nor was he controlling his justifiable anger. We are witnessing the fact that Jesus is as real as you and I when it comes to human actions and emotions involved with them. I see it as zeal for God's dwelling place and an act that is perfectly correct. Jesus is doing the right thing for the right reason. These same students have no trouble with playing war games and going to violent movies.

Today's Gospel from Luke may be even more shocking for Jesus is stretching our concepts of hospitality and warm welcomes beyond the ordinary meaning. He is not overturning tables now, but is extending the table and widening it to fit more people at the table so that they may eat. The only problem is that those invited are not one's friends and those who will invite us in return, but the poor, the lame, the blind. "When you have a reception invite the beggars and the crippled, the lame and the blind." We normally keep such persons at the back door and open it carefully and not completely; then we offer them an apple or a sandwich! Unlike Elderbermans who do throw a Thanksgiving Dinner for all people in need we normally avoid doing this for the poor, the lonely, and the homeless. Our comfort zones are carefully protected. We would rather pray for them than do something for them like inviting them to our table. This would be too messy and inappropriate.

Jesus' message is very challenging and it confronts our attitudes and behavior patterns towards others, especially the poor, the not so beautiful, the homeless. We are hemmed in by our rules about what is appropriate and polite. The Gospel, however, is not about "political correctness" or polite table conduct. Is it? Amen.