August 28th - 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

(Sir 3:17-18, 20, 28-29; Heb 12:18- 19, 22-24a; Lk 14:1, 7-14)

At the time of Jesus, some places at table were more prestigious than others. Luke describes how the guests at this meal try to take the best positions and they scramble for places of honor. Jesus critiques human pride with its status-seeking behavior (vs.8-10). He then shifts the discussion to God’s kingdom (v.11). Just as we should humble ourselves in human affairs, so we should humble ourselves before God. In the end, God alone invites us to a higher place. Jesus next addresses the host of this meal. The host probably expected one of his current guests to seat him at a place of honor at a future meal. Such reciprocity was one way for wealthy members of society to maintain their social status. Jesus instructs these guests when they are hosts they should invite the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind. Then, God will see their generosity and reward them with a place in his kingdom because God cares the most about the very people whom society cares about the least.

• How do you think people reacted to what Jesus said?
• Where do you think Jesus was sitting at the table?
• In what ways does this passage challenge you?
• Share a time when you invited people to a meal and knew they wouldn’t be repaying you?