Gospel Lk 14:1, 7-11

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, 'Give your place to this man,' and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, 'My friend, move up to a higher position.' Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Reflection:

Here you have Jesus in the midst of skeptics and those ready to judge. However, Jesus was true to his divine nature, not using the polite or nonconfrontational way out of a situation where the “holy men” are not acting holy. He always communicates what is necessary to root out the evil in hearts and to bring to light God's holy way.

The banquet or feast could be likened to heaven on earth, the Mass. When you process up the aisle to the altar during mass, have you a humble heart? We are invited to the feast. But, do we humble our hearts as we take our place at the table? The Sacred Heart of Jesus awaits our willingness to serve, openness to love and sacrifice to become one with Him. The serving and loving seem fairly easy and prevalent in Christian lives. The sacrifice is where we are truly tested to remain with Him. It is the lowest place only a humble soul can transcend and endure. This sacrificial step toward heaven will ready us to meet our Lord and Savior and to truly become one with Him. It is a “distinguished” position in the eyes of God.

God the Father awaits our union with his Son. Will we be humble enough to hear God say to us, “move up to a higher position”? Or will we be embarrassed at our own condition and have to move out of the way to our proper place?