Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Luke 14:12-14
“Brigid was famous not only for the perpetual fire that burned at her monastery in Kildare, but for her hospitality and welcome.
Brigid’s Feast
I should like a great lake of finest ale
for the King of kings.
I should like a table of the choicest food
for the family of heaven.
Let the ale be made from the fruits of faith
and the food be forgiving love.
I should welcome the poor to my feast,
for they are God’s children.
I should welcome the sick to my feast,
for they are God’s joy.
Let the poor sit with Jesus at the highest place,
and the sick dance with the angels.
God bless the poor,
God bless the sick,
and bless our human race.
God bless our food,
God bless our drink;
all homes, O God, embrace.”
Brigid’s Feast in Celtic Daily Prayer (New York: Harper Collins, 2002) 608.
As we have recovered from Covid, I have a fresh appreciation for those who provide food or care for the sick and helpless who cannot repay those who do them good.
When I read this beautiful poem I smiled because the sick and poor are not treated as second class people but shown the highest levels of hospitality and love.
Know anyone you could assist with warm welcome like this today?