Readings: Romans 11:29-36, Ps. 69:30-31,33-34,36-37, Luke 14:12-14
“But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed because they cannot repay you.” (Luke 14:13-14)
A few days ago, we read how Jesus was invited to dine with a Pharisee, who was watching him. Jesus did three things at that dinner party: He healed a man with dropsy. He taught a great lesson on the importance of humility and the need to invite the poor to feasts rather than rich neighbours or friends.
In this part of the world, the success of an event is judged by the calibre of people who attend it, the number of cars parked at the event centre, the amount of dollars splashed on the floor and the quality of the souvenir. In a country where many barely manage to feed once daily, there is no weekend devoid of such lavish parties. Some go into debt to host such parties to impress their friends.
Instead of competing with one another, Jesus is asking us today to consider the poor. Come to think of it, your rich friends do not need the food; they have more than enough, but some people cannot afford one good meal a day – these are the people we should invite to our parties. Go to an orphanage, visit a hospital ward, gather hungry children in the street and give them something to eat.
Why did Jesus insist we should invite the poor? They cannot repay us. If we invite our friends and relatives to our parties, they will pay us back by either giving us money or inviting us to their parties. Jesus wants us to ask those who cannot pay us back so that our reward will come from God. “Whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.”
When we feed the hungry, we store treasures for ourselves in heaven – a place where moth and rust cannot destroy. This is what Jesus told the rich young man who wanted to inherit eternal life. (Matthew 19:21, Mark 10:21, Luke 18:22). When we give to the poor, we are doing to others what God has done to us. St. Paul tells us in our first reading that we have benefited immensely from God’s mercy. Freely we have received. Freely, we must give.
Let us pray: Almighty and merciful God, by whose gift your faithful offer you right and praiseworthy service, grant, we pray, that we may hasten without stumbling to receive the things you have promised. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Monday of week 31 in Ordinary Time. Liturgical Colour: Green. Bible Study: Romans 11:29-36, Ps. 69:30-31,33-34,36-37, Luke 14:12-14)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu