"For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted."
Luke 14:11
Where am I with God? How would I know? That is the message in today's Gospel, not that it tells a position, but rather the heart of those who aspire to the Kingdom of God.
The guests are jockeying for the better place at table, believing they "deserve" it. In Jesus time, invitations were exchanged on a basis of potential material gain and being likewise invited later by a guest of similar status. It is into the honor-shame society that Jesus tells the parable of the wedding feast, and one being sent down in shame before the other guest's eyes while "a more distinguished guest" is given the higher place of honor.
The parallel is laid; the social self-inflation of those jockeying is akin to the self-righteous who believe their actions have earned a place in heaven, while the "more distinguished guests" are those who know their dependence upon God's salvation in their lives and act upon it.
We humble ourselves when we listen to God's call, the call to be missionary servants whether as CCD teachers during this Coronavirus or as a church greeter, whether taking Communion to the homebound or serving food at a Soup Kitchen with a smile, or the too-many to list other ministry opportunities.
Am I willing to be humble, to take the lower place at the Table of the Lord?
Lord, teach me to be a humble servant in Your service to those in need in our diocese, especially those so affected by the Coronavirus.
Reflection by:
Alan Gauzens
Did You Know...
Alan Gauzens is a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Dunedin. There, he is a lector and active in men's ministries including the Knights of Columbus, That Man Is You! and Tap Into Discipleship. A 2019 graduate of the Lay Pastoral Ministry Institute, Alan and his wife Joanne have been married for 40 years and are blessed with 4 children.
