Luke 14:12-14 NRSVue

¹²He 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 and sisters or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. ¹³But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. ¹⁴And you will be blessed because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

“Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.”

Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
Jesus, how often my giving is corrupted by self-interest and the hope of favours in return. You gave to me without hope of return. I can do you no favours, but you taught me that love means giving without expectations, that there is more happiness in giving than in receiving.

Reflection
Jesus is saying something here about not expecting thanks. He is hinting that we do what we do out of love, out of care, out of following him. We invite people to share in what we have who have no return. He also is saying that the good we do will not be forgotten in his heart. The good we do is written in our 'book of life'. In prayer we offer what we do for God to God, knowing that this is reward enou

Reflection
Although he promises reward, Jesus wants us to do good simply because it is good. I ask that I may recognise what is best and act with confidence.

Reflection
Giving without hope of reward means letting go even my rational satisfaction. Sometimes I may not be sure about the best thing to do, but I ask God to strengthen my faith as I do what I can.