THE GREAT SUPPER
Parable
Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee. But when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just...A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. - Luke 14:12-14, 16-24
Feast on the Word: The Great Supper (Modern)
In the parable of the Great Supper, a wealthy man makes a feast and sends invitations to his friends. Each turns down the invite citing financial and familial obligations to which they must attend. The master of the house, seeing that his friends will not join him, sends his servant into the streets to bring in all of the poor and homeless to share in his feast. God is the Master in the parable and He invites each of us, no matter or station, to come and sup with Him. Though we do not physically eat at the Lord's table, we certainly have the opportunity to feast spiritually. I included a trumpet in the stain glass window, symbolic that God is calling all of us and like those in the parable, we each must choose whether we will let daily cares and obligations prevent us from coming to feast spiritually at His table.
