Gospel Reading for August 31, 2025 – Luke 14: 1, 7-14
HE ALONE
On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.
He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table. “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. For every one who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” Then he said to the host who invited him, “When you hold a lunch or a 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. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
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We need recognition because it validates our existence, worth, and contributions. However, we cannot presume how others will recognize our worth. Even in friendships, we cannot be presumptuous – that we are the best, best friend. This is why for Jesus, it is important to humble ourselves when we go to gatherings or attend occasions where there are other guests invited.
Of course, Jesus happened to be at the gathering at the Pharisee’s house and noticed how people were positioning themselves. However, when Jesus speaks of the humble being exalted and those who exalt themselves being humbled, he teaches us a very important lesson in life: That all human beings are created equally, and to God, not one is more important than the other. Our differences in gifts and capabilities does not make us better than, or inferior to, others. Everything comes from God. HE ALONE CAN BE EXALTED.
Lord God, help us live our lives giving importance to what we can do for the betterment of humanity without seeking recognition or acknowledgment, knowing that everything comes from you!
