Invite the lowly and the poor
Introduction
As there were divisions also in Philippi, Paul asked his Christians to work toward unity, a unity based on unselfishness, humility and concern for the good of others.
We are inclined to love and invite those who love and invite us. Is this genuine love according to God’s standards? True love is gratuitous and opens itself to the poor and to outcasts. This is beautiful to say but hard to do. What is our practice?
1 Reading Philippians 2:1-4
Brothers and sisters:
If there is any encouragement in Christ,
any solace in love,
any participation in the Spirit,
any compassion and mercy,
complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love,
united in heart, thinking one thing.
Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory;
rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,
each looking out not for his own interests,
but also everyone for those of others.
Responsorial Psalm 131:1bcde, 2, 3
R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
O LORD, my heart is not proud,
nor are my eyes haughty;
I busy not myself with great things,
nor with things too sublime for me.
R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
Nay rather, I have stilled and quieted
my soul like a weaned child.
Like a weaned child on its mother’s lap,
so is my soul within me.
R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
O Israel, hope in the LORD,
both now and forever.
R. In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.
Alleluia John 8:31b-32
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If you remain in my word, you will truly be my disciples,
and you will know the truth, says the Lord.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel Luke 14:12-14
On a Sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees.
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 sisters
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.”
Commentary
When we throw a party, we deliberately invite our friends, family members, and people of high status precisely because we want the invitation to be reciprocated. Human society works on mutuality. We give so that we can get. When we stop getting, we stop giving as well. However, God relates to us on a different plane. He gives, even when we do not return the favor. Paul tells us that God’s call and His gifts are irrevocable. Even when everyone is disobedient to God and turns his/her back on Him, God continues to be merciful and generous with us.
Jesus invites us today to share in God’s nature. Be generous with people who cannot return the favour. Give without expecting to get. By doing so, we become perfect as the Heavenly Father is perfect (Matt 5:48). We may not be able to grasp the depths of God, but by doing so, we will get a little taste of God’s manner of loving, which itself is the greatest reward we can hope for.
Blessing
An impossible task? Something which only the naïve would try? Jesus has asked us today to care about the unlovable – or so we think – for no one is unlovable to God. Jesus cared and loved outcasts and sinners. Dare we follow him? May almighty God give you wisdom and courage and bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!