Here’s a responsive invitation to the Table inspired by
Isaiah 58. It was written by Thom
Shuman, and posted on Lectionary
Liturgies.
Invitation to the Table
(inspired
by Isaiah 58)
We try, God knows, we try.
We show up at church, hoping God will notice.
We study Scripture, pretending God is reading aloud to us;
we put on those masks to show everyone
how proper we are,
how law-abiding,
how religious;
and we wonder - does God even care?
Not when we clench our fists in anger,
rather than opening them in love;
not when we work people too hard,
and pay them too little;
not when we speak bitter and harmful words
to those we are given to love.
So tonight, as we begin our Lenten fast,
God offers us a feast. Why?
So that the broken bread will strengthen us
to break the chains of injustice,
to take the burden of poverty off our neighbors,
to stop trying to control those around us,
to fix a meal for the hungry.
God offers us a feast
so that the cup of grace will free us
to take coats out of our closets
and wrap them around shivering shoulders;
to offer shelter to the homeless
without judging them;
to spend more time with our families
and less on the internet.
So, come to this Table and eat.
Then, you will see the light God offers to your darkness;
then, you will find the path God calls you to walk;
then, you will discover God waiting to help you,
even before you say a word.
We will come to this Table and feast.
~ written by Thom Shuman, and posted on Lectionary Liturgies. http://lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.ca/
