Transforming Encounters: The 40-Day Challenge (Luke)Sample

Ever since I was little, I’ve had to face the fact that something was wrong with my vision. I was diagnosed with astigmatism. My eyes strained, my vision was worse at night, I saw shadows at the edges of letters, and my vision was blurry at a distance. Without my prescription glasses, my picture of reality was blurred.

In the parable of the guests at the banquet, Jesus speaks of a phenomenon in which, like me, we do not see reality as it is. The glasses through which we view the world show us that we often see ourselves as more important, more beautiful, more valuable, and more talented. Comparing ourselves to others, we believe that we deserve the places of honor.

Jesus warns us that such glasses can cause us a lot of embarrassment. If the one who invited us to the banquet sees reality differently, it can cause us a feeling of shame and humiliation. Jesus does not want this for us, so he calls us to be considerate of one another in our relationships. He warns both the host of the banquet, and the one invited. He urges the former not to behave like a merchant, and reminds the latter that relationships are not a matter of competition and rivalry.

Decide today to start seeing yourself and others through Jesus’ eyes.