The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today prompt us to be grateful for the hospitality that has drawn us closer to others and to God, even as we extend welcome and assistance to people in need.
The reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans declares the Triumph of God’s Mercy.
* [11:30–32] Israel, together with the Gentiles who have been handed over to all manner of vices (Rom 1), has been delivered…to disobedience. The conclusion of Rom 11:32 repeats the thought of Rom 5:20, “Where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more.”
* [11:33–36] This final reflection celebrates the wisdom of God’s plan of salvation. As Paul has indicated throughout these chapters, both Jew and Gentile, despite the religious recalcitrance of each, have received the gift of faith. The methods used by God in making this outreach to the world stagger human comprehension but are at the same time a dazzling invitation to abiding faith.
* [11:34] The citation is from the Greek text of Is 40:13. Paul does not explicitly mention Isaiah in this verse, nor Job in 11:35.
* [11:35] Paul quotes from an old Greek version of Jb 41:3a, which differs from the Hebrew text (Jb 41:11a). (Romans, CHAPTER 11, n.d.)
Psalm 69 is a prayer for Deliverance from Persecution.
* [Psalm 69] A lament complaining of suffering in language both metaphorical (Ps 69:2–3, 15–16, the waters of chaos) and literal (Ps 69:4, 5, 9, 11–13, exhaustion, alienation from family and community, false accusation). In the second part the psalmist prays with special emphasis that the enemies be punished for all to see (Ps 69:23–29). Despite the pain, the psalmist does not lose hope that all be set right, and promises public praise (Ps 69:30–36). The Psalm, which depicts the suffering of the innocent just person vividly, is cited often by the New Testament especially in the passion accounts, e.g., Ps 69:5 in Jn 15:25; Ps 69:22 in Mk 15:23, 36 and parallels and in Jn 19:29. The Psalm prays not so much for personal vengeance as for public vindication of God’s justice. There was, at this time, no belief in an afterlife where such vindication could take place. Redress had to take place now, in the sight of all. (Psalms, PSALM 69, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus teaches about 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, n.d.)
Steve Scholer comments that maybe if we were better in sharing our gratitude for all of God’s gifts bestowed on us each day, from the morning sun to the random acts of kindness from others, we might be more comfortable asking for help when we are in need. Let’s not let our innate reluctance to show weakness or fear of being in debt prevent us from being in a conversation with the one whose love and gifts are unending.
By the same token, Luke reminds us that the help we offer to others should be extended without expectation of repayment. What we do to help, especially the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.
As we do our Daily Examen and give thanks, let us focus more on prayers of gratitude for all of God’s irrevocable gifts, and less on praying only when we need a favor. And let us remember to give freely of our time, talent, and treasure without counting the cost or expecting anything in return.
The gifts we receive from others might well be God working through that person and for our benefit, or for the benefit of those we, in turn, will aid through our actions. (Scholer, 2023)
Don Schwager quotes “First and last at the banquet table,” 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) (Schwager, n.d.)
The Word Among Us Meditation from Luke 14:12-14 comments that Jesus is not just describing a meal offered, but a meal shared as family. We can truly encounter and connect with another person by welcoming them, by being present and listening, and by experiencing God’s love together. As we sit at such a table, walls begin to tumble. Sharing a meal communicates love in tangible ways that surpass words, and a stranger can become a brother or a sister.
We might not know how to “invite the poor” into our lives, but we can start by asking the Holy Spirit to show us someone who is hungry—whether for food or for an experience of God’s love. The Spirit can open our eyes and help us to reach out to them. People often have simple, ordinary needs. Even a smile or a few dollars or a kind word can open the door to the hospitality God wants us to show. As we talk with them, we may have an opportunity for a longer encounter—perhaps by getting a cup of coffee or inviting them to lunch. There, we will also encounter the God who lives within them. We can affirm the beauty and dignity he has breathed into their souls—and find Jesus himself.
“Lord, open my heart, my schedule, and my table today to someone who is poor or poor in spirit today.” (Meditation From Luke 14:12-14, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler explores the explanation of Paul about the faithfulness of God to the Jewish people (Hesed and Emet) in the mission to the Gentiles. St Augustine compared the mystery of Who God is and What is God’s plan to swimming in the ocean. Friar Jude suggests that we extend the hospitality of generosity and love even to those who might oppose us.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, understands the gospel story of the woman at the well as a story about God’s ever-flowing grace toward us.
Jesus’ most wonderful metaphor for this inner experience of grace is “a spring within you.” This spring is not outside us, it’s within us, and it’s bubbling up unto eternal life. Spiritual knowing and spiritual cognition are always really re-cognition. It’s the realization that what we already know is true at some deep level. We’ve had an intuition or a suspicion that we might just be a beloved child of God, but we often think that it’s too good to imagine. Heaven is already given, and the gift is already handed over. To the woman at the well, Jesus says very directly, “If you but knew the gift of God … you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water” (John 4:10). Jesus is telling her and us that we already have the gift of God! The Spirit has been poured into our hearts at the moment of our creation. We are already children of God. The water is bubbling up within us but we often don’t dare believe it. (Rohr, 2023)
We recall the hospitality of friends and family and seek to be open to the movement of the Spirit that nudges us to friendship and service.
References
Luke, CHAPTER 14. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 6, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/14?
Meditation from Luke 14:12-14. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved November 6, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/11/06/821967/
Psalms, PSALM 69. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 6, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/69?
Rohr, R. (2023, November 6). A Spring within Us — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved November 6, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-spring-within-us/
Romans, CHAPTER 11. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved November 6, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/11?
Scholer, S. (2023, November 6). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved November 6, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/110623.html
Schwager, D. (n.d.). You Will Be Repaid at the Resurrection of the Just. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved November 6, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=nov6
No comments:
Post a Comment