REFLECTION

GOSPEL 

On a sabbath Jesus 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 honour at the table. "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honour.

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 every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted." 

Then he said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner,

do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbours, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Luke 14: 1,7-14 

REFLECTION

Jesus challenges us in today’s gospel to be aware that all who exalt themselves will be humbled and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Forming relationships between people in a first world nation and a developing nation gives us an opportunity to accept that challenge.  Pope Francis agrees: 

In the present condition of global society, where injustices abound and growing numbers of people are deprived of basic human rights and considered expendable, the principle of the common good immediately becomes, logically and inevitably, a summons to solidarity and a preferential option for the poorest of our brothers and sisters…it demands before all else an appreciation of the immense dignity of the poor in the light of our deepest convictions as believers. 

[Pope Francis, On Care for Our Common Home [Laudato Si']

Julie Leonard

Religious Education Leader

Wellbeing Leader