In Jesus’ world, as in our own society, there were the haves and the have-nots. There were people of higher social standing such as the Pharisees and there were the marginalised, the ordinary battlers, who were socially and religiously inferior if they were poor, crippled, lame or blind. Has anything much changed in today’s world?
Giving and receiving is part of daily life and today’s readings show us that we’re challenged by Jesus to give generously and to receive humbly. We read in the Book of Sirach that the greater we are, the more we should humble ourselves and this will help us find favour with God and we’ll be loved more than a giver of gifts. But this is not to be our motive for gracious giving. All of us are equal in God’s sight and Jesus came to spread the good news of God’s love for all people, regardless of their social ranking or religious affiliation. None of us can earn God’s love. We can only receive it gratefully with humble hearts, conscious of our own failures and avoiding an inflated opinion about ourselves.
Through the ages the sharing of a meal with invited guests has been an opportunity for social interaction, friendship and conversation. For the Pharisees of Jesus’ time the meal included “various rituals governing social status and seating”. It was important to invite the ‘right people’ so the invitation might be reciprocated. Today’s Gospel shows Jesus as a dinner guest of a leading Pharisee where he uses the occasion to high-light the self-seeking of guests whose inflated egos and arrogance have them seeking higher places at table. Jesus refutes this behaviour by telling a cleverly pointed parable.
Rather tongue in cheek, Jesus says that if guests choose lower seating the host may invite them to move up higher and they’ll enjoy the public honour. Then with boldness, Jesus urges his host to be less self serving and invite guests who can’t return the favour because they’re too poor and lowly. Are our homes open to those less notable in society, such as asylum seekers, immigrants and those whose bank accounts are meagre? God will reward generous hospitality in the next life for we are called to care for those in need, more than pleasing those who make us feel important. Denis McBride ( Seasons of the Word) says “Jesus keeps God’s preference for the little people at the forefront of his teaching. He has the kind of love that sees beyond appearances.... His love dignifies people. He asks that our love does too.”
Be with me, Lord, as I reflect on the quality of my giving and my
receiving.
Denise Sullivan op
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