Good Advice or Good News?

Sirach’s call to act with humility in our affairs connects nicely with Jesus’ words to take the last place rather than the place of honor in the dining room. Humility scores more points with others than presumption or pride, even with God. But  Jesus is offering more than good advice. 

Keep in mind that Jesus was at dinner with Pharisees and lawyers, and that he has just finished healing a man with dropsy who was right in front of him, and it was the Sabbath. Jesus could never seem to stop working on the Sabbath, even  in front of people “observing him carefully.” 

Jesus then tells them a parable, that is, a story with a punch, one that upends the expectations of the listeners. Jesus is proclaiming how things are to be in the kingdom of God—and for those who work to bring about God’s kingdom come about even now. In the Kingdom, the last will be first; in the Kingdom, the least will be honored and feted; in the Kingdom, generosity will replace entitlement. 

God’s plan is not to duplicate Mt. Sinai with its gloomy darkness and fearful words, but God’s dinner parties will take place on Mt. Zion, the heavenly Jerusalem, with angels in festal gathering, and the chosen all shining and joyful.  Those in attendance will know they are there because of the blood of the Lamb that won them mercy before the throne of God. We prepare for this by showing generosity now. 

Consider/Discuss

• Can you hear good news in today’s Gospel, how living in the kingdom can start even now? 
• How does today’s Gospel shed light on what Sunday Mass is about? 

Responding to the Word

Generous God, you have invited us to the table of the Word and the table of the Eucharist, where we are nourished and where we learn what it means to live as children of the Kingdom. Thank you for this generous gift. May it continue to shape our lives.