That My House Will Be Full

YouTube video

In the video above, Luke Smith and his colleagues at the U.K.-based Christian group Fusion reenact the fourteenth chapter of the Gospel of Luke, with lovely results. It’s a project particularly apt in light of our recent celebration of Thanksgiving here in the U.S. and our discussions of  hospitality  on this page. Smith  recounts  the background:

Jesus tells a story about a rich man who invites guests to a dinner. They all politely decline with various excuses. So the guy decides to invite anyone who will come. Lame beggars, poor people and literally anyone who will accept the invitation. Jesus says that the Kingdom of Heaven is like this. All are welcome—-you just have to accept the invitation.  Read the full story here.

When I read this story recently, I had an idea. I manage two phenomenal ladies. Pippa Elmes and Miriam Swaffield. They are two of the most energetic, creative and loving people you could ever meet and I’m always looking for ways to manage them well.

On Friday, they turned up to work at 7:30am expecting a quiet team day in the countryside. Instead, I gave them twelve hours to throw a banquet for anyone who would come. They rose to the challenge and at 7:30pm they opened the doors and held a banquet for over 100 people from all walks of life. God provided the food and drink through generous people and shops in York and they raised over £600 for a local charity who work with the homeless and destitute.

Next
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Of Roots and Adventures

Peter J. Leithart

I have lived in Ohio, Michigan, Georgia (twice), Pennsylvania, Alabama (also twice), England, and Idaho. I left…

Our Most Popular Articles of 2025

The Editors

It’s been a big year for First Things. Our website was completely redesigned, and stories like the…

Our Year in Film & Television—2025

Various

First Things editors and writers share the most memorable films and TV shows they watched this year.…