Catholic Identity
Jake Wilkinson, Leader of Religious Education & Catholic Identity
Season of Creation Mass
Today is the beginning of spring and the start of the Season of Creation. The first Friday of spring is called an Ember Day. On Ember Days we offer prayers to God for the productivity of earth, for human labour, for people in need and to give praise and thanks for creation.
Some of our Grade 5/6 leaders will be participating in a special Season of Creation Mass on Friday at the Huntly Streamside reserve with other catholic schools from the area. The mass will be a celebration of the beginning of spring and Gods Creation.
Scripture: Luke 14:1, 7–14
On one Sabbath, when Jesus went to dine at the home of a leader of the Pharisees, they were watching him closely. Noticing how the guests chose places of honor, he told them a parable: “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Then he said to the one who had invited him, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or relatives or rich neighbors, in case they may invite you in return and you would be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you—for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Summary
Jesus teaches in a humble setting that true honor is found not in seeking recognition, but in modesty and selflessness. He invites people to take the lowest seat at a banquet to avoid embarrassment—and possibly be uplifted by the host in front of others. He also challenges social norms by urging hosts to invite those who cannot repay—those on the margins—promising that generosity without expectation of return is treasured in God’s economy.
Reflection Questions
- Why might Jesus say it’s better to choose the lowest seat—and what does that teach us about humility and honor?
- How does inviting those who cannot repay (the poor, disabled, or marginalized) challenge our usual “give-and-take” relationships?
- In your own life (home, school, friendships), how can you practice humility and open-hearted generosity like Jesus describes?
Prayer
Gracious God,
Teach us to live with humble hearts and generous spirits.
Help us to seek not the place of honor, but the opportunity to serve quietly and lovingly.
Guide us to include those whom society often overlooks—without expectation of return.
Let us trust that, in Your kingdom, humility is exalted and true joy is found in selfless love.
Amen.
