The Catholic Calendar for Monday, November 6, 2000
The Thirty-first Week in Ordinary Time
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Philippians 2:1-4
Psalm 131:1-3
Luke 14:12-14
Full text: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm
A reflection on today's Scripture:
Who among us would want to invite a beggar into our most intimate
celebrations. Here Jesus suggests that we would have the homeless and
beggars sitting in between our friends in suits at the wedding party
for our children. Is that reasonable?
Jesus is never really about reasonableness, at least from a human
perspective. He is about divine reasonableness. Why should God allow a
nicer set of clothes influence Him in His love. Under those clothes we
do the same acts of kindness and commit the same sins as our brothers
and sisters who lack finery.
Jesus is encouraging us to the higher standard He Himself set. After
all, were He only to invite His peers, the Banquet would be attended
by three only. He tells us to look beyond our selfish needs, our need
for acceptance and love. By doing so, we can reach out in acceptance
and love to people who experience little of it.
Our place in life is to be Jesus to those who do not know him. We
don't need to fete friends and family--they will stand by us
regardless. But each soul we help on Earth today is a soul who can
pray for us today and tomorrow. If we follow Jesus's advice, we will
expand our circle of influence. And when it comes to things of the
spirit, we can use all the prayers we can get.
- JuandelaCruz, TOC
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