Summer’s End?

I have this strange sensation in my fingers… It’s um, cold… So, yes, the weather seems to be turning, or at the very least, we’re getting a little taste of fall before it actually occurs. After all, it’s Labour Day weekend, which is significant for lots of reasons – school starts for all ages next week; the tourist season slows down here in Tobermory; and, we acknowledge and think about work, the work that is behind the quality of life that we are able to enjoy, the work we have or don’t have, and the justice issues associated with labour, who gets paid adequately, and who doesn’t.

This Sunday, we also continue our journey through the summer lectionary passages in the Gospel of Luke. We’ve tackled so many capital-letter things this summer -- Prayer, Faith, Healing – and this week will be no different. This week, we’ll take on Humility, one of Jesus’ most salient teachings.

We’ll look at the social dynamics of a dinner party that Jesus attends. Does one immediately position oneself in an exalted place of honour at the table? Or does one hang back and wait to be invited into that honoured position? You probably know Jesus’ answer: “For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)

To prepare, read Luke 14:1, 7-14 and ponder the following:

1.      When Jesus was so clear about the need for humility, why is there so much exaltation in Western culture? Any thoughts?

2.      It’s Labour-Day weekend. How do you feel about that?

Image: Pixabay