Sabbath-dining with one of the chief Pharisees,
Christ, watched by all, healed a man with the dropsy, teased:
"Were your ass or ox to stumble into a pit
On the sabbath day, which of you won't rescue it?"
"Take lowly seats, not the best" He told those at sup:
"You won't be moved down! Humble, you might be moved up!"
He told His host: "let the poor, lame, blind your feasts fill,
Then you'll be blessed - they won't reward you, but God will."
He spoke of One whose first guests made excuses all:
"The poorest ones, from every corner, He'll then call!"
To multitudes tracking Him, harsh words were not spared:
"Count the cost before following Me!" Christ declared.
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