SATURDAY OF THE THIRTIETH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME OCTOBER 30, 2021

MASS READINGS

A reading from the holy Gospel according to 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

‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’

The invite was purely out of politeness, but yet an invitation for the wedding had been received. The social circles were such that there would be no other acquaintances other than the family of the bride and the bride. Their friendship had developed over the years doing business with each other.

The wedding guests exceeded the capacity of the reception area. An overflow room was created. The invited couple went with the excess flow but the hosts sought them out and invited them to sit at their table. In fact, it was their seats that they gave them.

In the Gospel, Jesus notices that many were jockeying about for the seat of honor. The ones who issued the invitation had the final say about the ranking of the guests. As we accept the invitation of Christ to sit with Him at Table in the Kingdom of God, we are reminded that this is a gift of grace, a gift and not anything that we have earned or worked for. All we do in response to this gift is do all for the sake of Christ. We are not better than anyone.

There will be great joy when our Lord taps us on the shoulder and says, "What are you doing here? Come on up and sit by me."

God Bless You