Looking into the lectionary - D.C. churches respond to federal show of force

Luke 14:1, 7-14 Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost August 31, 2025 Not long ago, I was leading a discussion of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together with a church small group. We were considering the chapter called “Ministry,” which Bonhoeffer begins by noting the human penchant for comparison and judgment. Bonhoeffer claims that “from the first moment when [someone] meets another person [they are] looking for a strategic position [they] can assume and hold over against that person.” He takes a basis for this assertion from the disciples’ arguing among themselves which of them was the greatest in Luke 9. He could as easily have pointed to this passage from Luke 14. It’s an observation of human behavior, no less telling than the disciples’ earlier argument, that occasions Jesus’s parable: He sees people at a dinner party cozying up to the host by sitting in the places of honor — a dangerous strategy, Jesus suggests. For if you’ve calculated wrongly, the host might demote you, inviting someone else to assume the position of honor you had selected for yourself. The behavior Jesus witnesses at this dinner exemplifies the same jockeying for position Bonhoeffer calls the “dangerous enemy” of Christian community. What surprises here is that Jesus seems to be offering wisdom consistent with this game of advantage-seeking by suggesting a guest should choose a humbler spot, opening the possibility that the host might invite them to move up – climb up a rung on the ladder of honor – and take a seat nearer the host. “Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you,” Jesus says (Luke 14:10). I’ll show you how to gain the strategic position, he seems to be saying. Except that is not his last word. Jesus concludes this saying with the more universal pronouncement that those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted (Luke 14:11). The clear implication is that this eschatological reversal of fortune will be God’s work, and it is consistent with the overall thrust of Luke’s Gospel. When placed in the eschatological context of God’s final judgment, this passage offers a liberating word: ... Thank you to this week's writer, L. Roger Owens. Read the rest of the commentary at pres-outlook.org. Order of worship — August 31, 2025, by L. Roger Owens The marvel of mutual mission by Greg Allen-Pickett D.C. churches respond to federal show of force by Harriet Riley A pastor’s call amid immigration uncertainty by Gary Noonan House Chaplain Margaret Kibben on what makes military chaplaincy important by Adelle M. Banks A back-to-school prayer for congregations by Elizabeth H. Doolin Want the worship resources for August 24, 2025? You can find them here. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Call to action: Lamenting increased militarism on our city streets The PC(USA) Office of Public Witness urges faithful resistance to militarized policing, affirming God’s peace, justice, and dignity over fear, force, and political control. Learning from telephones: Rethinking ministry for a changing world Churches must embrace adaptive change to disciple beyond walls and engage communities, writes Dave Coles. Presbytery of San Gabriel returns ancestral land to Gabrieleno Tongva Tribal Council The Rev. Jihyun Oh preaches during a worship service as part of Saturday’s historic land back transfer. — Kristen Gaydos Faith250: Healing the nation’s soul through words Reviving America’s moral language — Faith250 invites faith leaders to heal divisions through study and community, writes Becca Messman. Abundance Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson’s "Abundance" offers a hopeful, critical look at policy, politics and possibility, writes Amy Pagliarella. ‘Shiny Happy People’ returns to examine the Christian culture war pioneer Teen Mania The three-part docuseries explores the birth and sudden demise of Teen Mania, plus the gnarly underbelly of a ministry some former members consider abusive. — Kathryn Post