Luke 14:1, 7-14
1 On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.
7 When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; 9 and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11 For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” 12 He said also to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return, and you would be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Self-pride or humility?!
This Sunday, St. Luke helps us to think about how our behavior and attitudes project our inner being.
At first glance, it looks like Jesus is offering some social teaching at a special occasion where he is invited by a Pharisee for a festival meal. But reading in depth, Jesus is teaching about one of the most fundamental Christian virtues, which is humility.
The occasion is an invitation where guests take their seats according to their social ranks and their office. They are supposed to know that they are not the only ones at the banquet. Each has to respect the host's arrangements and show respect for others.
At these occasions, the behavior of each guest illustrates her/his internal self-esteem, showing their motivations and what controls their energy. Is it self-pride or humble character that leads to self-control and self-respect?
When the guest has a large ego she/he has to face humiliation and shame. The ego is always the first and biggest enemy in human behavior. St. Augustine said, “Pride makes angels devils, and humility makes humans angels.”
Reflecting upon Jesus’ teaching, do I have the courage to examine my own ego and my ways of dealing with others? How do I treat them? Do I offer anything to the needy who can't repay me as Jesus recommends at this occasion?
As a Christian, am I convinced that pride leads the to artificial and humility leads to the genuine, and that the best way to gain respect is thru humility? Let us keep it in mind as a golden rule for life, “For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” Luke 14:11.
May Jesus be our model for our life and conduct. “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used for his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing…" Philippians 2:3-7a.
Let us humbly offer our gratitude to God for what we have, for our skills, our successful careers and positions. May we serve others with humility, building up a more confident, faithful and witnessing community!