By Deacon Timothy Siburg
Revised Common Lectionary reflection for Proper 17, Year C
August 31, 2025
Key Verse: “Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have, for he himself has said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” -Hebrews 13:5
There’s an old discipleship practice for reading and dwelling in Scripture that is grounded in two questions: “What do you notice?” And “what do you wonder?” These faithful questions can lead to imagination, discernment, listening, and growth. They also put the onus on each of us as disciples and stewards to pay attention, to listen deeply and to grow. And this practice reflects the example Jesus set.
I am thinking about these questions this week because the Gospel story begins with Jesus noticing wedding guests and where they choose to sit (Luke 14:7). Jesus takes the opportunity as he often does, to tell a parable that teaches and enlightens. Here, Jesus tells about the stewardship of welcome and relationships. He calls all who might listen to reflect on what welcome looks like and how we are called into relationship with our neighbors. In telling this parable, Jesus offers wisdom that echoes that of Proverbs 25:7: “But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place” (Luke 14:10). What would it look and feel like for all of us to make this humble move in our own lives?
In this parable, Jesus invites us to think about how we steward welcome and relationships. “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous” (Luke 14:13-14). I wonder if this is a lesson and reminder for congregations. How are we welcoming and making space for one and all, and especially those who might not always feel welcomed by society? I wonder, is it also a lesson for us as individuals and households? How are we welcoming and making space in our homes and tables? If I’m being honest, as someone who likes to host and welcome others for meals and conversation, a story like this prompts me to do a double-take and think about how I might be coming up. What might it look like to be more intentional about this?
This familiar passage hits a little stronger right now for me. Perhaps it’s because in this current time disparity seems to grow daily between those who have and those who have not. Where people of certain backgrounds, experiences, ethnicities, orientations, gender identities and perspectives are marginalized more and more. What might it look like to follow Jesus’ example to invite, welcome, and meet all of God’s beloved where they are at, with an open seat at the table just for them?
In connecting the Good News with the promises of the sacraments, we know that there is always room for more at the table of grace. Jesus makes it so. This is what abundance and true welcome look like. It’s also what relationships look like as God is the one who brings us all together and reconciles us to God and to one another.
The psalmist also illustrates this idea. “It is well with those who deal generously and lend, who conduct their affairs with justice” (Psalm 112:5). We are to be generous as our God is generous with and for us. We are to work towards justice and peace, as God calls us to, and to care for all of God’s beloved in need. What might this look like? The psalmist paints a picture: “They have distributed freely; they have given to the poor; their righteousness endures forever; their horn is exalted in honor” (Ps 112:9). We are called to go and do likewise. And one of the ways we do this is by always making room for one more around the table, so that all indeed have a place.
The writer of Hebrews reiterates this theme: “Let mutual affection continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers… Remember those who are in prison” (Hebrews 13:1-3). God’s welcome is limitless! God’s table does not exclude. This is a stewardship truth. God’s abundance is just that. It’s abundant. We embody this truth when we are intentional in stewarding welcome and our relationships. When we work to make time for one another and show up with and for each other. This is often easier said than done. Things like money, wealth, and possessions can so easily get in the way. That’s why we hear the famous warning, “Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be content with what you have” (Hebrews 13:5). This is not to say that everyone has enough and has what they need. There are many who need their daily bread, who struggle to receive it because of systems, structures, human sin and brokenness and greed. But for probably most of us, we have more than enough. But our neighbors need our stewardship. They are reliant on us. And we need to be able to use what God entrusts to our care for our neighbor’s sake. That might look like feeding the hungry, making room for one more around the table, walking with our siblings in prison and who are oppressed, and coming near to those just thirsting for a hand-up and God’s good news of life and love to ring true.
We rest assured with the writer of Hebrews that Jesus will never leave or forsake us (v. 13:5), and that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (v. 13:8). This promise about Jesus reminds us that salvation and the gift of love and life is God’s work and gift, not ours. It reminds us that we are not alone, and that God is with us every step of the way. Because of this, we have all that we need to make more space at the table and to meet our neighbors’ needs. And because of this, we have hope that through Christ, reconciliation is possible which enlivens deeper relationships and true welcome.
What do you notice in this week’s stories? What do you wonder about, in hearing these familiar words? I hear a call and conviction to reflect on how we steward welcome and our relationships. And the image and symbol of a table seems a fitting way to ponder about this.
In Worship and Congregational Life
What might it look like to have an interactive reading of the Gospel or use the sermon time to invite the congregation to share what they notice and wonder? This could blend worship with faith formation. It could be the perfect time to have a participatory sermon. Where God’s people together discern and make meaning. And where the sacredness of the Body of Christ together might open each other up to what God might be up to and inviting in the midst of the whole body. Or outside of worship, what might a forum conversation time look like to reflect on these questions, and then pair them with a stewardship question like, what might God be calling us to wonder and focus on? How might God be calling us to meet our neighbors right now?
Worship with Youth and Children
The younger saints could be invited around the table or altar space in the sanctuary and asked to model what it could look like to all make room for one another. Invite them to touch the table and feel that they are welcomed to that space. Invite their questions and observations. Depending on the direction of the sermon, connect this time to the larger message to inspire deeper wondering and yearning about Holy Communion – how it is one real way that we strive as God’s people to embody God’s abundance and welcome for one and all. Then close the time in prayer together.
Previous reflections for 17C:
2019 – Practice radical hospitality
2016 – To be continued …
2013 – Invited and inviting
2010 – Don’t be puttin’ on airs!
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