THE WORD
Rom 11: 1–2.11–12.25–29 / Lk 14: 1.7–11
On a sabbath he went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.
He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him, and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
IN OTHER WORDS
First class – second class – third class – business class – economy class. Blue ribbon, red ribbon, yellow ribbon. For VIPs only – for citizens – for strangers. Yes, almost everywhere, almost every time, we are classified in different ways and treated accordingly. Naturally we feel elated if we are accommodated in a special way… better than the others. I participated in an Ordination Mass in D.R. Congo and was impressed to see almost the entire clergy present. The Master of Ceremony must have asked the question: how will I classify all these priests? He told us to form two lines, the oldest in front and the youngest at the tail. That was a good solution I guess.
Jesus was a special guest in a meal organized by a prominent Pharisee. He was closely watched. He too was carefully observing them. He noticed how the guests were competing for the distinguished places. The guests were all eyes on Jesus because he often surprised his listeners by his radical ideas. Jesus did not criticize social conventions on ranks and places of honor. Rather he gave an important advice: in wedding feasts, take the last place instead of the first place. It goes with his teaching about the greatest: the least in the eyes of society are the dearest to God’s heart. Those “small ones” are the “big ones” in Jesus’ ranking. Therefore all those who raise themselves will be humbled and the humble will be raised up. This echoes the Magnificat of Mary: “He has pulled down princes from their thrones and raised high the lowly” (Lk 1:52).
Humility is a virtue, an antidote to bad feelings. If you possess it, you will be spared from experiences of humiliation, jealousy and dissatisfaction of yourself. The reason is that all you are, all you have and all your talents are God’s personal gifts to you. So, for what reason have you to be proud of yourself? On the other hand, to be malcontented of yourself is an insult to God your giver. Humility is divine: it reflects Jesus who, from God’s rank, took the form of a slave.
- Xene Sanchez, SVD (Congo)
The Word in other words 2015
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
