In the
Gospels,
Jesus warns people against taking the place of honor at a banquet,
because if
it is being saved for someone else you'll just be asked to move and
everyone
will be embarrassed. That can be pretty awkward!
Well,
most of us
invited to, say, something like a wedding or a retirement party
wouldn't dream
of making ourselves comfortable at the head table without checking with
someone
in charge or looking to see if there were nameplates at the various
tables. We
might secretly wish we sat in a prominent place, and we might even
grumble if
we are not - to ourselves of course - but we wouldn't make a fuss in
public.
So why
do we
assume when we come to worship on a Sunday morning that we have a right
to a
particular pew? Maybe visitors have come to worship with us, unsure,
wondering
what sort of church we are. Perhaps they have found an empty place and
have
quietly seated themselves, hoping that no one will make a big deal over
them.
It's not unheard of for wonderful servants of Jesus to tell those folks
they're
sitting in their pew!
And
they expect
them to move!
Folks,
one of the
best offerings you can bring on a Sunday morning is the spirit of
hospitality.
Offer up your pew if you see someone looking for a seat. You can always
stand
in the back. Explain the bulletin and order of worship. Ask if they are
comfortable, without hovering over them. Offer a welcome. For, as it
says, in
the letter to Hebrews, "Do not neglect to show hospitality to
strangers,
for by doing so some have entertained angels without knowing it." Hey,
you
never know!