Reflection for Saturday,  30th Week of Ordinary Time

By

Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Director, Social Action Movement, Don Bosco Bidar


Today's WORD of GOD


Luke 14: 1, 7 -11 

And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him.

When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table,  he told them this parable: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place.* *But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests.* *For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

 Today's Reflection

Friend, Come Up Higher

The Christians at Philippi have Asked about Men who were Preaching about CHRIST, yet Did Not Take Part in Their Eucharist or Prayer-Meetings. 

We Remember a Similar Episode in the Gospel (Lk 9: 49 - 50) & in Each Case there was Envy at Work. 

Paul’s Answer is that whenever Anyone Proclaims CHRIST, whatever the Motives, It Brings Him Joy. He Reduces the Entire Message to that Single Word, “CHRIST,” the One who Lives Among Us as Our Risen Saviour.. For “It is Not Ourselves We Preach but JESUS CHRIST as LORD” 

(2 Cor 4: 4 - 5).

Unlike the Evangelists Paul’s Writings Con’t Record the Words & Deeds of JESUS. His Message Focussed on the Risen CHRIST, Living in the Community. The CHURCH'S Actions & Words become Acts or Statements of the “Body of CHRIST.” 

Paul was very Glad when that Message was Passed on to Others, by Simply Mentioning the Name“CHRIST.” 

Under this Name All Envy & Suspicion should be Banished from Among the Faithful.

JESUS Warns Against the Common Temptation to Use Money or Status (i.e. Pull Rank) in order to be Seated in the Best Seats. 

Knowing how even Good People can Feel Drawn to This, HE Advises Them to Voluntarily Go to the Lower Place. Then if the Host so Wishes U will be Called Forward, ‘My Friend, Come Up Higher.’ HE Seems to Say, if U Host Yourself in High Esteem, at least Give Others a Chance to Determine Your Place. Then HE Names the Most Controversial Virtue of Humility. 

The Call to be Humble is a Challenge to Us All, Even if Glory is Promised as Its Reward.


Good Morning

Have a lovely day and a great weekend.

God bless you with good health, peace, joy and happiness.