A seat for all at the table

DAILY READING

Mark 12:41–44

FIELD NOTES

A friend of mine recently shared a story with me about an experience he had with ministry based in a correctional facility. One of the units he visits is a protective custody unit for inmates who are trying to leave gang life. The Christians in the unit decided to offer a meal for all the residents. Below is his description of what happened: 

“They had been planning a big ‘spread’ for their entire unit which they were able to do last Wednesday. They had 45 out of 46 guys show up. The food was organized by O who has a large extended family and has had a lot of experience organizing food for large groups. They had hot pots for heating water which they used to heat the rice and chili. In classic behind-the-walls cooking recipes the ‘cheesy rice’ was made using rice and ground-up Flaming Hot Cheetos. The men in the Bible Study had pooled their commissary to have a variety of meat available which was layered over the rice. Finally, it was topped with chili and canned jalapeños.

The guard in the unit said he has now seen two things in jail he had never seen before:

1. Men getting baptized

2. Guys pooling their resources to provide a ‘spread’ for their entire unit…”

This story is a beautiful reminder that we are all invited to God’s table – regardless of who we are, what we are struggling with, or the ways in which we may have fallen short in our past. Like the widow in Mark 12, this group of men gave all that they had in order to offer love to their neighbor. It was not limited to the men in the Bible study, or the Christians in the unit, it was an open invitation to all. 

This Christmas, you are invited to the table, please share the invitation! 

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• How can you invite others to the table? 

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• Can you think of a time that you were invited to do something (help your parents or teacher, play with a friend, go to an event)? How did this make you feel? When could you invite others who may be feeling left out to do something? 

PRAYER GUIDE

Dear God, help us to remember that we are always welcome at Your table. As I go about this season of Advent, help me to invite others to the table as well. Amen.