30th Week in Ord. Time, Saturday – 29th October 2022 — Gospel: Lk 14,1.7-11
Observing Jesus
In today’s Gospel, just as the Pharisees were observing Jesus on his extraordinary behavior, Jesus was also watching the inappropriate behavior of the guests. They were competing for places of honor like his disciples who had been competing for position in the kingdom of God. The observed turned out to be the observer. Jesus was not against an eligible person taking his seat of honor. However, ineligible people were also trying to occupy higher seats and were getting humiliated by the host. Observing these, in the world of individualistic and egocentric culture, where the spotlight and attention are always ‘for me,’ Jesus teaches contrasting values with his parable. He had advantage to tell the guests, on how to be a guest and a host. Instead of seeking approval, recognition, and popularity from others, he wants us to direct our energy and our hopes to more worthy goals. Instead of trying to focus on the impulses of others, he wants us to think about ourselves less, to occupy our minds with other things, and to be freed from vain self-absorption. Jesus asks nothing of us that he does not accomplish first. As Son of God, Jesus had every right to expect the highest place of honor, yet that held no importance for him. Jesus, who is the source of honor, chose dishonor and endured humiliation throughout his life by embracing human form.
