Year C / Ordinary Time / Week 22 / Sunday
Readings: Ecclesiasticus 3.19-21, 30-31 / Psalm 68:4-5, 6-7, 10-11(R/v cf 11b) / Hebrews 12.18-19, 22-24a / Luke 14.1, 7-14
"The heart of a sensible man will reflect on parables, an attentive ear is the sage's dream" (Ecclesiasticus 3.29)
These words from Ecclesiasticus remind us that listening to God's teaching can help us grow in wisdom. We need to hear this wisdom to live our Christian life well. It reminds us that we come to heaven by way of humility and charity. This is in fact God's instruction to us today in the First Reading and in Jesus's message in the Gospel.
We might find ourselves drawn to the image of the meal Jesus is invited to at the Pharisee's house. Our imagination might helps us see the scene and experience the meal. The sights and smells of the food. The sounds of the conversation and interactions. The feelings of being there with Jesus, his host and the guests.
If we reflect a bit more on this meal, we might be surprised that Jesus is giving really wise advice to both guests and hosts about finding true happiness at the heavenly banquet. We must listen to Jesus for we are these guests God invites. We are also these hosts God calls us to be for others, especially, the lesser.
To guests, Jesus says, "Wait before you take your place at the table lest you be asked to move if someone more important arrives." This is more than a lesson about table manners. It is advice - wisdom, really - on how to find our true place in the Kingdom of God. By acting humbly and taking the lower place when we relate to others.
These two ways are how Jesus lives and serves throughout the Gospels. He does because his heart is meek and humble. In our parish, before every Mass, we pray that our hearts be like Jesus's heart, meek and humble. Are they?
We need humble hearts to stop choosing the places of honour at the table, jockeying for position, pushing ourselves forward for fame and face. Yes, "humble" your hearts," Jesus exhorts, "and take the lower place; then you will more likely be exalted, even recognised for your humility."
To hosts, Jesus says, "Real blessings will come to hosts who invite guests who cannot repay your invite." These guests will make our hearts bigger and more charitable to gather, welcome and include everyone. This is why he pushes us to extend our guest list beyond our immediate circle of family and friends.
"Invite the poor," Jesus instructs. In our context, this includes the migrant labourer, the foreign domestic help, forgotten old in HDB 1 room flats and all those in need whom we will meet. Some of them could even be our family members who are estranged or work and school mates who are struggling spiritually and mentally.
When we do this, we will learn a different way of inviting and a different level of association. It is this: no matter our differences because of 'race, language or religion,' values or politics, gender or sexual orientation, education or economic background, we are all God's family. We will because we will see anew - and again - that all of us share in the same dignity as as persons. Everyone made in the image and likeness of God. Everyone is God's own and beloved. Everyone is worthy to be guests at Gods heavenly banquet. Everyone is gifted to host others and celebrate God's goodness together.
So how will such hosts be repaid? In the same ways as the guests who humbled themselves. Indeed, whether guests or hosts - and anyone else - who hears, obeys and follows Jesus's teaching today, it will be in heaven as it is on earth that they are God's guests. In fact, they are those exalted guests Jesus praises because they would have behaved humbly and found favour with God as our first reading teaches.
Wise are all who hear this teaching today, take it to heart and enact it in their lives. They are God's sensible people, at home with God always.
Are we not this people too?
Preached at Sacred Heart Church, Singapore
photo: northwestenmutual.com
photo: northwestenmutual.com
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