Extending Our Table - HOPEFULLY Oriented

Introduction

Over the past few weeks, Jonny has shared about Thanksgiving with his mom and how he and Tory extended their tables—physically into the living room, kitchen, and mudroom—to make space for more people. This image serves as a metaphor for the kind of community we want to cultivate: one where we extend the table to unexpected guests, making space for belonging, even when it’s difficult.

Hospitality and belonging are easy in ideal circumstances, but they become much harder when we face difficulty—whether from people, situations, or deep-seated differences. When life is challenging, extending the table is rarely instinctual. Instead, we often write stories over one another, making assumptions based on past experiences, theological disagreements, cultural backgrounds, or political affiliations.

Jesus faced these challenges too. In Luke 9 and 10, we see how he navigates hostility, prejudice, and division, modeling a way of being that moves toward others instead of away. His response offers us a vision of hope—a “social horizon of hope” in the midst of division. But hope is not just optimism; it is an active, often risky, choice to believe in the possibility of transformation.

Scripture Reflection: Luke 9:51-56 & Luke 10:25-37

• Luke 9:51-56: As Jesus heads toward Jerusalem, he is rejected by a Samaritan village. His disciples, James and John, immediately want to respond with hostility, suggesting calling down fire from heaven. But Jesus rebukes them, rejecting their instinct toward division and destruction.

• Luke 10:25-37: In response to a religious expert’s question, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus tells the parable of the Good Samaritan. The story disrupts expectations, showing a Samaritan—not a priest or Levite—demonstrating the true heart of God through mercy and care.

Discussion Questions

1. Extending the Table

   • What does it mean for God to be extending the table to unexpected guests? How can we reflect that in our own lives?

   • Have you ever experienced a time when someone extended the table for you? How did that impact you?

2. Barriers to Hospitality

   • What makes it difficult to extend the table—whether personally or as a community?

   • What kinds of differences (theological, political, cultural, personal history) tend to create division for you?

3. Jesus’ Response to Hostility

   • How does Jesus’ rebuke of James and John challenge our own gut reactions to opposition or rejection?

   • How does the story of the Good Samaritan challenge us to reconsider who we view as “neighbor”?

4. Hope in the Face of Division

   • How does Jesus’ teaching in these passages offer a “social horizon of hope” for our divided world?

   • What are the risks of hope? How is hope different from naïve optimism?

5. Personal Acts of Hope

   • The guide mentioned that hope takes different forms—listening, healing, protesting, laughter, lament, gardening, storytelling. What practices help you cultivate hope?

   • How can our small acts of hope contribute to a larger vision of extending the table?

Closing Reflection

Achille Mbembe asks, “Are we capable of rediscovering that each of us belongs to the same species, that we have an indivisible bond with all of life?” Jesus’ way invites us to rediscover one another—to choose hospitality, belonging, and love even when it’s difficult.

Missio Dei’s vision of extending the table is an act of hope. It is a choice to cultivate spaces where we can rediscover one another and ourselves. As we close, take a moment to reflect on what an act of hope might look like for you this week.

Communion & Prayer Spend time in prayer, asking God to shape our community into one that extends the table, even in the face of difficulty. Invite participants to share any reflections or commitments they feel led to make in response to the discussion.