Instructions to Invited Guests and Hosts (Lk 14 1-14)
Introduction
- Jesus is so practical and simple in His teachings. One of His most practical teachings is the instructions to the gusts and hosts. I do not want to make it complicated through my explanation of the text in the homily. (as the Jesus’ blame to the Pharisees and Scribes that they made the Law of Moses for the common people to understand through their explanations)
- All the teachings of Jesus have two kinds of effects such as window effect and the mirror effect. Window effect is that through we see the eternal truth, which points to something else. In mirror effect we see ourselves His teachings. For example in his gospel we can identity ourselves as guests or hosts. Jesus gives conduct for both.
Reflection
- Once I visited the home for the abandoned aged people “aakashaparavakal” near to Palakkad, kerala. The director told that a new culture is developing among the neighbors of that place, a culture of sharing. He pointed out that whenever there is a celebration in their neighbor’s house such as birthday or marriage, they bring the food to this center of “aakashapraravakal” and feed them. The director added that it is a way they accumulate wealth in heaven. It is an implication of today’s gospel to the hosts - “when you hold a banquet, invite the poor … for you will be repaid at the resurrection”.
- The advice to the gusts is “humility”. The best example is Jesus himself. He was humble
o In the way he sees himself
§ (Phil 2:6-8) – “though He was equal to God….emptied himself, took the likeness of a servant…. obedient unto death, even death on the cross”.
§ At the time of arrest of Jesus, though He was the most powerful He did not react nor did anything to save himself. He humbled himself to be as a powerless human being.
§ He humbled himself to be a human being, to be a servant, and to be a piece of bread.
§ Mat 11:29-30 - “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
§ The story of the martial arts master who did not attach back those who misbehaved to him. The greatness is though he knew how to conquer his opponents he kept silence. Late the opponents accepted him as their master.
o In relation with others
§ Jesus was always with poor and served him though he was the King of kings.
§ He was even ready to wash the feet of the disciples as a servant.
o In relation with Heavenly Father
§ Obedient servant of God
§ Let thy will be done – the prayer in Gethsemane
§ Everything is of the Heavenly Father.
- Jesus expects us to be humble to oneself, in relation with others, and in relation with God.
Conclusion
- “A great person is one who makes others great”.
- Thankfulness is a sign of humility. Let us thank God for all the blessings that we have received.
- St Augustine once said, “If you ask me what are the ways to God I would say – the first is humility, the second is humility and the third is humility”.
- Be a good gust and a good host in our life.
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