Finding Christ in Your Gatherings this Week

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” - Matthew 9:10-11

There will be gatherings this week, some big and some small. And in those gatherings there will be insiders and outsiders - at least to some degree. We have a chance to imitate Jesus this week in who we eat with, who we talk with, and who we honor. It may be that there’s an extra seat at the kid’s table… what would it look like for you to surrender your ‘rightful’ place at the adult table to go and sit with the 7-year-olds for Thanksgiving? Or maybe it’s that awkward aunt, or the grandparent who has lost a lot of his memory, or your cousin’s boyfriend who doesn’t know anyone - they will be at the gatherings. They are easy to overlook, especially when we are able-bodied and socially-practiced.

Perhaps this week we could commit to eat with those who don’t fit as well. Perhaps some of us might even be in the position to invite over to our table someone who needs a spot. Or, even more courageously, perhaps some of us need to accept an invitation and be ok with just being a guest.

One way or the other, in our gatherings, you’ll always be able to see Jesus. He’ll be hanging out with the tax-collectors and the sinners, the ones who might have a little more shame and a little less social graces. Perhaps you could find Christ there this week.