22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)

September 1, 2019

Readings:

First Reading: Sirach 3: 17-18, 20, 28-29

Psalm 68: “God, in your goodness, you have made a home for the poor.”

Second Reading: Hebrew 12: 18-19, 22-24a

Gospel reading according to Luke 14: 1, 7-14

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Homily:

On a Sabbath day, meaning a day with the Lord, a rest day from daily works and manpower labor and be present in the presence of God the whole day through.  On this day, there is nothing to worry about; nothing to do, nothing to work.  After performing the religious obligation, it so happened that one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to take lunch or dinner in his house on the Sabbath day.  Jesus knew this Pharisee, so he granted his invitation.  “On a Sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully” (Luke 14: 1). While he was at the home of that leading and well-known Pharisee, he did not sit at once but saw that there were some people also in that house, and he sensed that these people were observing him, his movement, action, “galaw,” mannerism; he was under the scrutiny of these people (sino ba itong bagong dating, bagong salta, sinisino siya); they observed him from head to toes (tinitingnan siya mula ulo hanggang paa).  Maybe they were also Pharisees, or relatives of the owner of the house, or rich neighbors invited also in that meal, for Jesus observed that they already occupied the presidential seats, or higher and chosen places of honor, where they can see those who are coming in and going out.

As a good teacher and keen observer, he took the opportunity to preach to the guests while waiting for the food to serve. He came to them closer so that they can hear him. “He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table “(Luke 14: 7).  He told them a parable or a story related to manners how these guests chosen the places of honor at the table.  Eating together at the table shows fellowship and companionship, a feast of thanksgiving received of grace.  Eating together at the table is like a Eucharist, a heavenly banquet.  So there is no special chair or place or position in any part of the table for it is a communion of equals. 

The parable or story went like this.  “’When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor.  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’.” (Luke 14: 8-10).  These people were reclining freely, with boastful hearts, having a habit of sitting the best and nearest part of the table to the owner of the house.  It seemed they wanted to show to the other guests that they are close to the owner, that they are the best of friends of the owner of the house, and that they thought and felt that they are the most important guests of the owner.  They did not realize that there are best guests than theirs, best known persons than they.  And when these special guests arrived, the owner of the house put them to the place where they were occupying. They were put to shame with other quests due to their arrogance and let them sit at the lowest part of the table, and they were humiliated.   On the contrary, when they arrived on that house, they may stand near the gate and/or sit at the lowest and least important part of the table, so when the owner of the house saw them standing and waiting patiently to be recognized, the owner will let them in and sit them in on most important part of the table, and the other guests will admire their humility.   

Jesus brings the lesson of humility to the guests already occupying the best part of the table.  “’For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted’.” (Luke 14: 11).  Anyone who brings himself up against the others will be put to shame and humility; but he who lowers himself will be put up by others.

He also reminded the Pharisee who invited him on who he is about to invite in his banquet. “Then he said to the host who invited him, ‘When you hold a lunch or 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’.” (Luke 14: 12-13).  Jesus said to him that instead of inviting those who have, i.e., his friends or his brothers or his relatives or his wealthy neighbors, because in any occasions they can invite him and he already received his repayment.  But instead he told him that he should invite those people who cannot offer him dinner to their houses, because they have nothing to eat themselves, i.e., the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, the beggar, and those people living in the street; he will receive repayment beyond compare to the meal he himself served.   “’For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous’.” (Luke 14: 14). We can relate here what it said in the last judgment, “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (cf. Matthew 25: 40).  These people, the poor, the oppressed, the marginalized, the deprived, the beggars and people of the street, they cannot invite you to dine in return to their houses but the gratitude of them can bring you to heaven.