A reading from the gospel according to Luke 14:1, 7-11
1 On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.
7 He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.
8 “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,
9 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.
10 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.
11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Reflection: Be humble.
Perhaps because of his growing popularity, Jesus was invited to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. Jesus accepted the invitation. He never rejects anyone. Rich or poor, sinner or saint, He loves everyone. He then took the opportunity to teach. Everywhere he went, He would always teach. That is an important part of His mission.
While it is good to be invited to a party, it is awfully bad to be embarrassed in front of many people. When attending an occasion, it is important to practice good manners and to avoid having too much self-importance. People appreciate humility and abhor arrogance. Much more with God who opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble (James 4:6).
Jesus is teaching us to take the lowest place and then we will be moved to a higher rank. This is much better than taking the highest place and then fall to the lowest place. In the business world, it is better to start small, learn lessons along the way and grow big rather than start a big enterprise which may become unmanageable and soon driven out of business.
In an earthly banquet, it is usually the rich and the famous in society who jostle among themselves to see and be seen. It is very rare for a rich man to stay on the sideline and waits to be called. It is also uncommon for a man of humble means to compete for a seat in the high place or he would really be pushed aside. However, in the kingdom of God, it is the humble who will be given exaltation for He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. (Luke 1:52).
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A person’s social status was very important during Jesus’ time. The distinction between the haves and the haves-not was very palpable especially during special occasions or parties. The poor and those with physical infirmities were always marginalized and uninvited to such gatherings.
This kind of social arrangement is very much alive in today’s society even inside the church itself. Those with power and money or both are given high recognition while the powerless and the dispossessed are marginalized and forgotten.
In the gospel reading above, Jesus was invited to the Pharisee’s home along with the affluent members of the community. As what he does everywhere, He took the occasion to teach those who have ears to hear about needs to be done for the sake of the Kingdom of God. One must not seek the praise of men but to be humble and to look after those who are humbled due to their circumstances such as poverty and physical and mental disabilities. Moreover, when doing something good, do not expect to be compensated. Allow God to be glorified in whatever you do and let Him be the one to repay you. Above all, do something for the marginalized and if possible, work for the transformation of society so that peace and justice will prevail.
