Scripture Scribbles: August 28, 2022
the Gospel
Luke 14:1, 7-14
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 every one who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Then he said to the host who invited him,
"When you hold a lunch or a dinner,
do not invite your friends or your brothers
or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors,
in case they may invite you back and you have repayment.
Rather, when you hold a banquet,
invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;
blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you.
For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
the devotion
What a beautifully challenging gospel the Lord has given us today. It is important to read and reflect on this passage in the context of who Jesus is speaking to. He is dining at the house of one of the “leading Pharisees” and is most likely surrounded by upper class people and religious leaders.
He begins the parable by illustrating the virtue of humility. The act of putting oneself in the lowest place requires a true, honest view of self and of others. St. Thomas Aquinas defines humility as “seeing ourselves as God sees us: knowing every good we have comes from Him as pure gift.” Any good that is within us is from our heavenly Father. Likewise, others are filled with goodness from God.
For me, this speaks to my mindset and thoughts more than anything else. It is not my place to judge who should sit where or who deserves what or who is better than who. It is easy for me to play that judgmental game in my head. I do this both ways – I can place myself above others and 10 minutes later place myself lower than dirt. God alone sees all and knows all; therefore, it is best for me to pray and ask Jesus to keep me “right-sized.” I am no better or worse than anyone else – “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away” (Job 1:21). Lord, I am Yours. Fill me with a deeper understanding of how you see me and how you view others.
Towards the end of the passage, Jesus speaks into purity of intention and selflessness in our invitations and interactions with others. Spending time with friends and family is a good thing, but what if for this week we pursued friendship with someone who we know really needs it? What if we made our first intention to BE a friend, rather than receive friendship? At the very least, I challenge us to read and pray with the Prayer of St. Francis (Prayer of St. Francis | EWTN). Come Holy Spirit.
Today’s devotion was written by Kaitlin Gilday
