The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to humility as we recall our experiences of acceptance and hospitality from the people who have helped shape our life situation.
The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans declares that Israel’s rejection Is not final.
* [11:1–10] Although Israel has been unfaithful to the prophetic message of the gospel (Rom 10:14–21), God remains faithful to Israel. Proof of the divine fidelity lies in the existence of Jewish Christians like Paul himself. The unbelieving Jews, says Paul, have been blinded by the Christian teaching concerning the Messiah.
* [11:11–15] The unbelief of the Jews has paved the way for the preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles and for their easier acceptance of it outside the context of Jewish culture. Through his mission to the Gentiles Paul also hopes to fill his fellow Jews with jealousy. Hence he hastens to fill the entire Mediterranean world with the gospel. Once all the Gentile nations have heard the gospel, Israel as a whole is expected to embrace it. This will be tantamount to resurrection of the dead, that is, the reappearance of Jesus Christ with all the believers at the end of time.
* [11:16–24] Israel remains holy in the eyes of God and stands as a witness to the faith described in the Old Testament because of the firstfruits (or the first piece baked) (Rom 11:16), that is, the converted remnant, and the root that is holy, that is, the patriarchs (Rom 11:16). The Jews’ failure to believe in Christ is a warning to Gentile Christians to be on guard against any semblance of anti-Jewish arrogance, that is, failure to recognize their total dependence on divine grace.
* [11:25–29] In God’s design, Israel’s unbelief is being used to grant the light of faith to the Gentiles. Meanwhile, Israel remains dear to God (cf. Rom 9:13), still the object of special providence, the mystery of which will one day be revealed. (Romans, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 94 praises God, the Avenger of the Righteous.
* [Psalm 94] A lament of an individual who is threatened by wicked people. The danger affects the whole community. Calling upon God as judge (Ps 94:1–2), the Psalm complains about oppression of the holy community by people within (Ps 94:3–7). Bold declarations of faith follow: denunciation of evildoers (Ps 94:8–11) and assurance to the just (Ps 94:12–15). The Psalm continues with further lament (Ps 94:16–19) and ends with strong confidence in God’s response (Ps 94:20–23). (Psalms, PSALM 94 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus teaches humility and hospitality in the conduct of invited guests and hosts.
* [14:7–14] The banquet scene found only in Luke provides the opportunity for these teachings of Jesus on humility and presents a setting to display Luke’s interest in Jesus’ attitude toward the rich and the poor (see notes on Lk 4:18; 6:20–26; 12:13–34). (Luke, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB, n.d.)
Carol Zuegner comments that they will get theirs someday. There may have been a har-rumph. Serves them right. Just like those people who push in front in line. Or try to cut off when driving. Or think they deserve better because of the way they dress.
I came to a stop. What was I doing? Wasn’t this exactly what Jesus warned against? I was being all self-righteous and confident that I was the humble one and I would be exalted. And those I didn’t think should be exalted would get their just rewards. Not very humble of me. Or Gospel-like. What about the neighbor I’m supposed to love as I love myself?
All of this thinking is a good reminder to make sure that I am really listening to the Gospel message. My humility should be real and genuine. Where I am in God’s own seating plan depends on how I treat people and how I follow the Gospel. That place isn’t because I am good compared to others. It’s that I am good because I want to follow the Gospel. I work toward and pray for that every day. (Zuegner, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “Jesus calls us to be humble, modest, and praiseworthy,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"'When,' he says, 'a man more honorable than you comes, he that invited you and him will say, 'Give this man place.' Oh, what great shame is there in having to do this! It is like a theft, so to speak, and the restitution of the stolen goods. He must restore what he has seized because he had no right to take it. The modest and praiseworthy person, who without fear of blame might have claimed the dignity of sitting among the foremost, does not seek it. He yields to others what might be called his own, that he may not even seem to be overcome by empty pride. Such a one shall receive honor as his due. He says, 'He shall hear him who invited him say, "Come up here."... If any one among you wants to be set above others, let him win it by the decree of heaven and be crowned by those honors that God bestows. Let him surpass the many by having the testimony of glorious virtues. The rule of virtue is a lowly mind that does not love boasting. It is humility. The blessed Paul also counted this worthy of all esteem. He writes to those who eagerly desire saintly pursuits, 'Love humility.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 101.5) (Schwager, 2019)
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 14:1, 7-11 comments that Jesus could have avoided his opponents and focused instead on the crowds who flocked to him, hearts open to his message. In contrast, most Pharisees seemed set on finding fault with Jesus. He could have decided that the odds of success were low and the risk was high. He could have given up on them and declined their invitations. But he didn’t. Why not? Because “the Lord will not abandon his people” (Psalm 94:14).
How many of us long for honor and status like those Pharisees? How often we struggle to be humble! But Jesus persisted in seeking after them, and he pursues you with the same enduring mercy. He loves you and he won’t abandon you. He invites you to end your angling for prestige and let him fill you with peace. He offers you the true place of honor: at his side. Come to me; learn from me, he says. Humble yourself, and my Father will exalt you.
“Thank you, Jesus, for always seeking after me. I want to listen to you.” (Meditation on Luke 14:1, 7-11, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler recalls how Paul would choose hell if it meant the Jewish people would be saved. God is faithful and the departure of the Jews created an opening for the Gentiles and the expectation of the fullness of revelation for all. Friar Jude suggests that Catholics who flock to the back pews in Church have heard this Gospel from Luke.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Franciscan Sister José Hobday (1929–2009) who was a Seneca elder, and a friend of the CAC in its earliest days. She writes of a way of praying she learned from her mother.
That flower was supposed to be special, one that meant a lot to me…. In addition, Mother said I was to be very careful with the flower because it had been selected for a holy purpose. I lovingly cupped it in my hands so nothing would happen to it. When I got home, I did as my mother instructed and told the flower what burden I wanted lifted and taken to God. How was the flower to do this? Remember, this was a Sacrifice Flower, one that was going to die. The idea was that as life went out of the flower, it would carry my prayer to God….
Every time I saw the flower, I could see it giving its life for me and I could imagine my prayer being carried to God…. When the flower finally died, I would take it outside, say good-bye to it, and thank it for giving its life for me and for delivering my prayer. Then I would bury it so it would have a chance at a new life…. (Rohr, 2019)
We ponder the path of our journey and the importance of all the events in shaping our relationships of humble service and love.
References
Luke, CHAPTER 14 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 4, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/14?1
Meditation on Luke 14:1, 7-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 4, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/11/04/820598/
Psalms, PSALM 94 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 4, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/94?12
Rohr, R. (2019, March 9). Loving God through Creation: Weekly Summary. CAC Daily Meditations 2023. Retrieved November 4, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/loving-god-through-creation-weekly-summary/
Romans, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved November 4, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/11?1
Schwager, D. (2019, March 9). Everyone Who Exalts Himself Will Be Humbled. Daily Scripture net. Retrieved November 4, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=nov4
Zuegner, C. (2023, November 4). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 4, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/110423.html
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