'Come, my way, my truth, my life.' As I enter this time of prayer today, I begin by inviting the Lord into my life. I acknowledge my need for God to show me the way, to teach me the truth, to give me life.

Come, my way, my truth, my life;

Such a way as gives us breath.

Such a truth as ends all strife:

Such a life as killeth death.

Come, my light, my feast, my strength;

Such a light as shows a feast.

Such a feast as mends in length,

Such a strength as makes his guest.

Come, my joy, my love, my heart;

Such a joy as none can move.

Such a love as none can part,

Such a heart as joys in love.

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Luke.

Luke 11:37-41

While [Jesus] was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with him; so he went in and took his place at the table. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not first wash before dinner. Then the Lord said to him, ‘Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? So give for alms those things that are within; and see, everything will be clean for you.

Invitation... What’s in an invitation? Kindness, hospitality, interest in the other? What else? What’s in an invited guest’s response? Curiosity, pleasure at being included? What else?

Be involved in today’s scene. Sit at the table, or perhaps serve the food, hear the conversation. Let all the activity suddenly cease as Jesus makes his incisive observation.

Jesus talks about the inner life. How do you recognise your own motives? Perhaps you make a regular check. Perhaps you invite God to examine it with you. Perhaps a wise companion helps you.

Listen to the passage again. Our all-seeing, all-knowing, ever-present, compassionate God. Sit with God for a moment. Perhaps even at a table in your imagination.

Luke 11:37-41

While [Jesus] was speaking, a Pharisee invited him to dine with him; so he went in and took his place at the table. The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not first wash before dinner. Then the Lord said to him, ‘Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. You fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? So give for alms those things that are within; and see, everything will be clean for you.

Allow Jesus to join you and offer you an invitation. Talk with him, as one friend to another, about this invitation made freely to all.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.

As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be

World without end

Amen