A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 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: “On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.”
I find it interesting that Jesus chooses to speak of the condition of the Pharisee’s hearts while they were closely observing Him, as if there might be something not right with Jesus. The setting is at a meal on the holiest day of the week. If you or I were invited to dine with Jesus on the sabbath, we would eagerly accept this special invitation. Imagine, spending your holy day in the home of one of heads of the church. I suppose that would be equivalent to dining in the home of the pope or a cardinal. What an honor!
The leaders of the church and the wedding banquet are very significant in this story. Jesus, once again, calls out the pride in the hearts of those in the church. He points out what is really important in how to conduct ourselves and approach our invitation to the wedding feast.
Fast forward to today’s Christian holy day, Sunday, and the wedding banquet in which we are invited to participate, holy mass. It is a marvelous wonder that all are invited to dine in the home of God. Mass is more than just “rubbing elbows” with the elite. It is the intimate union between those of us on earth and our heavenly God. We should spend time in preparing for our union with Christ as we accept the invitation to the banquet table.
As we approach mass, we should closely observe our king, Jesus. He is front and center on the cross, giving us guidance and peace. There we can observe Him, and if we choose to humble ourselves, we can become one with him, so he alone can exalt us.
Comments