Feeding the Hungry
Luke 14:12-14
Then said he also to him that bade him, When you make a dinner or a supper, call not your friends, nor your brothers…


It was the custom of St. Gregory, when he became pope, to entertain every evening at his own table twelve poor men, in remembrance of the number of our Lord's apostles. One night, as he sat at supper with his guests, be saw, to his surprise, not twelve but thirteen, seated at his table; and he called to his steward, and said to him, "Did not I command thee to invite twelve? and, behold! there are thirteen." And the steward told them over, and replied, "Holy father, there are surely twelve only." And Gregory held his peace; and, after the meal, he called forth the unbidden guest, and asked him, "Who art thou?" And he replied, "I am the poor man whom thou didst formerly relieve;" but my name is 'The Wonderful' and through Me thou shalt obtain whatever thou shalt ask of God. Then Gregory knew that he bad entertained an angel; or, according to another version of the story, our Lord Himself."



Parallel Verses
KJV: Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper, call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich neighbours; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompence be made thee.

WEB: He also said to the one who had invited him, "When you make a dinner or a supper, don't call your friends, nor your brothers, nor your kinsmen, nor rich neighbors, or perhaps they might also return the favor, and pay you back.




Christ's Counsel to His Host
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