A Reflection on the Twenty–Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 14:1, 7-14
By Jerome J. Sabatowich

When there is a large dinner banquet, the seating arrangement usually reflects the status of the invited guests. The place of honor is always at the main tale with the most important guests sitting next to the host. It was no different in Jesus’ day.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus warns his audience not to assume they deserve the coveted places of hoor because if someone more important arrives late, the host may ask them to make room for tis person. The resulting embarrassment will be great indeed if the only space left is in the lowliest spot.

The Jews often used a banquet as an image of the kingdom of God. Many of the Pharisees with whom Jesus sat at table believed they deserved the places of honor in God’s kingdom not only because they were good Jews but also because if their strict observance of the Jewish laws. Jesus warned them against making this assumption.

In the story Jesus used to illustrate his point, the dignitary who came late and displaced the other man symbolized the sinner. Since many Jews believed sickness resulted from sin, people such as the lame, the blind, and lepers would have been in this category. The displaced guest symbolized the Pharisees who thought they were holier than others.

Jesus’ audience would not have missed the point of his message. Jesus was telling the Pharisees they better not be too smug because the people whom they considered sinners might actually be holier and deserving of more honor in God’s kingdom. Pride can not only blind us to our own shortcomings, but can also make us overlook the good in others.

For Reflection
A woman dreamt that when she died and went to heaven, she was surprised to see some people there whom she considered spiritually inferior. She then noticed that each of these people also looked surprised because, it seems, none of them expected to see her there either. Pray this week that God will teach you how to be humble.

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