All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
the uninvited
One time, a wedding banquet was held in a small town otherwise known as a "barrio". Family members, relatives and close friends were especially present as the important guests . But when it was already time to eat, they were surprised to have seen so many uninvited ones also dining with them. In spite of that, the food being served was good enough to feed everybody including the unexpected ones. However, the hosts still couldn't help but vehemently react against the uninvited after the occasion. They murmured, grumbled and despised over their presence.
Living in a barrio like in the Philippines, it normally occurs (so far in my personal observation) that even the uninvited ones would come and eat too every time a special event is being held . But since they are not expected as part of the celebration, they are tagged as "gatecrashers". In so many instances in my life when I'd been a witness of different kinds of events, so far, I often see the hosts not really having welcoming outlook over the uninvited ones other than feeling indignant of them.
Going back to our Christian faith, I wonder if this is how we are taught about our values towards people especially when we know for a fact that the uninvited ones are those that could hardly get a complete meal in a day or even rarely to eat delicious foods. They're the poor ones in our community. Within our churches, we feel like its such a wonderful attributes to be able to show generosity, kindness and compassion towards our neighbor. But it's so sad to realize that these attributions are only within our thoughts but not in our actions and motives. Sometimes our understanding and concern only limit to our family circle and close friends and only them can too benefit what we have. At times, I cower over the thought that I too may have been guilty over that fact. And that the question I have in mind for others may likely be the question I would want to raise for myself. But God didn't say, "Love your family and friends as your self". He said, "Love your neighbor as you love yourself".
Looking back to the wedding banquet, I remember my grandfather when he was still alive. And that each time his children (my aunts & uncles) would complain about their neighbors who shamelessly dined with them even when they're uninvited during special occasions, he would simply say,"ok lang na, nakakaon man tanan..(that's ok, as long as everybody has eaten)".
Living in a barrio like in the Philippines, it normally occurs (so far in my personal observation) that even the uninvited ones would come and eat too every time a special event is being held . But since they are not expected as part of the celebration, they are tagged as "gatecrashers". In so many instances in my life when I'd been a witness of different kinds of events, so far, I often see the hosts not really having welcoming outlook over the uninvited ones other than feeling indignant of them.
Going back to our Christian faith, I wonder if this is how we are taught about our values towards people especially when we know for a fact that the uninvited ones are those that could hardly get a complete meal in a day or even rarely to eat delicious foods. They're the poor ones in our community. Within our churches, we feel like its such a wonderful attributes to be able to show generosity, kindness and compassion towards our neighbor. But it's so sad to realize that these attributions are only within our thoughts but not in our actions and motives. Sometimes our understanding and concern only limit to our family circle and close friends and only them can too benefit what we have. At times, I cower over the thought that I too may have been guilty over that fact. And that the question I have in mind for others may likely be the question I would want to raise for myself. But God didn't say, "Love your family and friends as your self". He said, "Love your neighbor as you love yourself".
Looking back to the wedding banquet, I remember my grandfather when he was still alive. And that each time his children (my aunts & uncles) would complain about their neighbors who shamelessly dined with them even when they're uninvited during special occasions, he would simply say,"ok lang na, nakakaon man tanan..(that's ok, as long as everybody has eaten)".
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Comment
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Comment by ev sularte on April 1, 2009 at 11:19pm
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Oh well, that's probably a good idea Felix. Thanks a lot! It's sure great to hear your views.:)
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Comment by felixpadua on April 1, 2009 at 6:24am
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well, the next time you party then, you invite everyone in your barrio so there would be no gatecrashers. then you can probably say life is fair at least in your party, the rich guests mingle and dine with the poor ones.
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Hi Felix! I appreciate your comment and very glad to hear your side over this matter. I believe that we all have different perspectives about things and I do really have a strong respect on that.
Living in a barrio where people very seldom getto eat sumptuous meal, I understand when they go gatecrashing to an occasion and even lose the manner to at least feel ashamed of their acts. However, how I wish that when you're a host and being put in a situation like this, you may just stop from being indignant against the uninvited and instead think of what you can do to the least of your brothers as Christian.
Life is fair Felix..regardless of our status in life...that I believe. The rich are challenged to share their blessings to the poor while the poor ones are challenged to flourish and nourish what's been given to them.
Life only stops being fair because sometimes we simply stop to care.
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hi ev, i am a gatecrasher many times over. i go to weddings in my place uninvited. i go to other affairs uninvited, and everytime the hosts see me, they say, o my gosh, we failed to invite you. please, please come inside and they offer me a place to sit and eat.
i sit but i don't eat, i just talk to people and watch the invited guests eat and eat. nice way to be in a party like that -you're uninvited but you are in control.
to the people who are uninvited and eat, woe to them. they are nothing but hungry wolves who have lost all self respect. God is not pleased to see them there gulping the foods that are not intended for them.
to the people who host parties and weddings, please invite everyone, so nobody will be frowned upon when they come and gatecrash. do not choose your guests. if you cannot afford to invite everyone, and you want to choose your guests and you want no gatecrashers, have your parties in secured places. put guards to man the gates so no gatecrashers can come near you. this way, you enjoy your party, and you spared yourself from the indignity of gatecrashers.
in one party i gatecrashed, the invited guests were seated and dined, the gatecrashers were not allowed to get in but were given food packed in styroform and plastic bags and were asked to move away from the party. this is a nice idea, the party was successful, the hosts and guests were happy, but those who came to eat only and not to party were also fed and went home full and happy. so everyone is happy, there are no gatecrashers allowed in the party, the gatecrashers are also happy -they got what they want -the food they need to tide them over to their next meal. life is so unfair, what do you think ev?
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