RE NEWS

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION

Luke 14:1. 7-14

Humble yourself and be exalted.

On a sabbath day, Jesus went for a meal to the house of one of the leading Pharisees, and they watched him closely. He then told the guests a parable, because he had noticed how they picked the places of honour. He said:

“When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour. A more distinguished person than you may have been invited, and the person who invited you both may come and say, ‘Give up your place to this man.’ And then, to your embarrassment, you would have to go and take the lowest place.

No; when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that, when your host comes, he may say, ‘My friend, move up higher.’ In that way, everyone at the table will see you honoured. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Then Jesus said to his host:

“When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers, relations, or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind. They cannot pay you back—this means you are truly blessed, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again.”In this week’s Gospel reading, Jesus uses the setting of a meal to challenge the way people perceive themselves and others. At first glance, we might think this parable doesn’t apply much to us—I, for one, don’t usually try to sit in the place of honour at a wedding! But as with all parables, we are asked to look beyond the surface and glean the deeper lesson. Jesus is teaching us about two key things:

1. How we perceive our own importance.

2. Where he himself is to be found.

    

These two themes echo throughout Jesus’ ministry. Time and again, he defied authority and questioned those who claimed power. It was not the high priest who proved to be a true neighbour, but the Good Samaritan. Jesus was a rebel in the truest sense—constantly at odds with the religious and political authorities of his time. The more he spoke about God’s kingdom, the more opposition he faced, until the crowds themselves turned against him.

I once heard a retired U.S. general give an example that fits here. While in office, he was treated with full honours—coffee made for him, the best accommodation, the works. Years later, after retirement, he returned to the same place only to make his own coffee in a plastic cup. His reflection was this: those honours belonged to the office, not the person. However important we may think we are, we are only people passing through. Humility is wisdom.

Pope Francis has also shown us Jesus’ second point: that we will find him most clearly on the margins of society. In the Gospels, Jesus was rarely seen among kings or lords. Instead, he chose to befriend sinners, commoners, and outcasts. He would rather be known as a friend of lepers than as a guest of nobles.

Father Harry OMI recently spoke at St John Vianney’s about the charism of the Oblate order. Their mission is to go where the Church is less present and where people’s needs are greatest. One inspiring example is Rosies – Friends on the Street, a Catholic organisation in Australia that offers friendship and support to people who are homeless, marginalised, or lonely.

This week, we are invited to reflect on how we see ourselves, and how we reach out to those on the outskirts of society. How might you show humility in your daily life? Could you support Rosies, donate to an organisation like MAMI or Caritas, or simply say a prayer for those who are lonely or in need?

By Jonathan Rooney 

Religious Education Leader 

CLASS MASS TIMETABLE