A must read

http://www.churchinwales.org.uk/archbishop/b0014e.html

Peace
Bruno

Who should we keep from supping with our Lord?

Matthew 9:9-17 (NRSV)

9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax booth; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he got up and followed him. 10 And as he sat at dinner in the house, many tax collectors and sinners came and were sitting with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" 12 But when he heard this, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners." 14 Then the disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?" 15 And Jesus said to them, "The wedding guests cannot mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them, can they? The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak, for the patch pulls away from the cloak, and a worse tear is made. 17 Neither is new wine put into old wineskins; otherwise, the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed; but new wine is put into fresh wineskins, and so both are preserved."

Who indeed is pure enough in their ways that they should decide the constitution of Christ’s guest list?

I myself am a sinner, I have failed to love the Lord my God with my whole heart, mind and soul, and I have failed (most miserably) to love my neighbor as myself. This I confess before you, my sisters and brothers.

Will I refuse to come to the banquet with my Lord, because there are other sinners there?

I am not well Lord, heal me.

What sacrifices might I require of other sinners that would please my Lord?

Lord, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

Heal me Lord that I a sinner may be as if new born, shod of the ways of comfort in the way things were, and washed of the fears that the world has heaped upon me. So that I may trust fully in you and the works you entrust to your church.

Lord, have mercy on me a sinner.

Lord, help me to be humble, and to recognize that I am called to be at table with, not in judgment of others.

Lord, have mercy on me a sinner.

Lord, help me to desire justice, not my own advantage, that I may fulfill your desire to show mercy and not require sacrifice.

Lord, have mercy on me a sinner.

Peace
Bruno