Breaking the Word

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 neighbors, 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."  (Lk 14:12-14)

 

 

Jesus addressed the disciples, the apostles, the listeners and those who followed him. He also addressed the Scribes, the Pharisees and the Sadducees and the priests. He taught them, he spoke to them in parables; he answered them when they questioned him. He also advised and admonished the people who were close to him and in this passage he advised the person who invited him for dinner.

 

His advice is that one should not invite people for party with an idea of being repaid. The people who can repay are those who are rich or the relatives (because of the social, cultural practices) or friends. Invitation should be sent to people who cannot invite one back: poor, strangers, sick etc. This seems very strange but this communicates an essential view of Jesus. Kingdom is inclusive.

 

Jesus was invited for a dinner by this friend. Now with does Jesus associate himself with? Was he invited because he was a friend or someone else? Sure Jesus was invited because he was known by this man. However Jesus was always with the poor, the sick, the unwanted and the underprivileged. Jesus could not think of himself other than belonging to these people. He was one with them and he identified himself with them.

Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his disciples, saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees have taken their seat on the chair of Moses. Therefore, do and observe all things whatsoever they tell you, but do not follow their example. For they preach but they do not practice. They tie up heavy burdens (hard to carry) and lay them on people's shoulders, but they will not lift a finger to move them. All their works are performed to be seen. They widen their phylacteries and lengthen their tassels. They love places of honor at banquets, seats of honor in synagogues, greetings in marketplaces, and the salutation 'Rabbi.' As for you, do not be called 'Rabbi.' You have but one teacher, and you are all brothers. Call no one on earth your father; you have but one Father in heaven. Do not be called 'Master'; you have but one master, the Messiah. The greatest among you must be your servant.  Whoever exalts himself will be humbled; but whoever humbles himself will be exalted. (Mt 23:1-12)

 

 

Chair of Moses (teaching authority) should be respected. Whoever sits on the chair is a man of respect. They do the job of Moses. But all those who sit on this chair are not faithful to their duty. Some do the work of only preaching and they forget that they have to be witnesses as well. What they preach had to be shown in their lives as examples which they fail. Teaching ministry is to be respected though witnessing is not accompanied.

 

Their religious practices are multiplied. Their religious practices are also visible because they widen phylacteries and lengthen the tassels. They have only external practices and they do not do it with their heart. Their practices are only get the attention of the viewers. They want to be noticed and observed. Their religious ministry is visible and noticeable but not lived (in their inner self).

 

They rely on their social status. They long for social honour and respect and greetings. The places of social gatherings:  market places, banquets etc become the places of importance for them. They love social respects and positions and places of honour. But for Jesus and his followers there is only one: TEACHER, MASTER AND FATHER .