22nd SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (C)

He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.

Lk 14: 1. 7-14

v. 1 - On a sabbath he went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully.

Many times Luke makes use of a meal as a setting for Jesus to make a point, to teach a lesson. He addresses the Pharisees who Luke considers to be representatives of Israel’s thought.

Luke alone among the Evangelists shows the Pharisees to not be entirely adversarial toward Jesus. They invite him to dinner (11:37) and even warn him about Herod (13:31). Luke’s attitude was probably influenced by Paul who was proud to identify him as a Pharisee (Phil 3:5; Acts 23:6; 26:5). His portrayal of the Pharisees vis-à-vis Jesus was probably closer to the truth.

v. 7 - He told a parable to those who had been invited, noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.

Jesus also criticized the scribes for this kind of behavior (20:40).
At first glance Jesus seems to be giving a lesson on how to behave in polite society as we also see in Prov 25:6-7. Instead, it is a lesson opposed to preoccupation on rank found in Jewish society.

v. 9 - 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.

He has to take the lowest place because all the other seats have been taken.

v. 11 - For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who hum-bles himself will be exalted.

We find the same declaration in Ez 21:31.

Jesus condemns the proud security and certainty of the Pharisees (16:15; 18:14).

v. 13 - Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.

Luke gives special attention to the poor (those without the goods of the earth), the humble and the little ones. He invites compassion for them.

He declares the poor blessed (6:20) in contrast to Matthew who adds “in spirit” (poor in spirit, Mt 5:3) for they are the anawim who rely on the goodness of God.

v. 14 - blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.

Jesus makes a promise of a reward for those who are altruistic, for those who show disinterested goodness, for those who provide loving service to the needy and helpless.

21st SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (C)

And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.

Lk 13:22-30

v. 22. He passed through towns and villages, teaching as he went and making his way to Jerusalem.

The mention of making his way to Jerusalem indicates the beginning of a new section (13:22-17:10). The gospel for this Sunday (13:22-30) gathers various pronouncements of Jesus about entering the Kingdom of God. Luke addresses these pronouncements to the Jews who do not believe in Jesus.

v. 24. "Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I tell you, will attempt to enter but will not be strong enough”.

Jesus does not answer the question on how many will be saved.

The word that is translated as “strive” may also be translated as “agonize”. Entering the narrow gate is something over which one should agonize.

v. 26. And you will say, 'We ate and drank in your company and you taught in our streets.'

These are the Jews who witnessed the ministry of Jesus.

v. 27. Then he will say to you, 'I do not know where (you) are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers!'

The speaker here is the judge of the last days. He does not know the Jews who do evil.

It is not enough to belong to the line of Abraham. It is necessary to welcome Jesus in faith.

v. 28. And there will be wailing and grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God and you yourselves cast out.

Those who do not respond to the invitation are excluded from the Kingdom.

v. 29. And people will come from the east and the west and from the north and the south and will recline at table in the kingdom of God.

The kingdom of God is compared to a wedding banquet. The pagans are the people from the four corners of the globe who will participate in the wedding banquet.

19th SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME (C)

Gird your loins and light your lamps.

Lk 12:35-40

Lk 12:35-40 consists of parables regarding vigilance while waiting for the re-turn of Jesus.

v.35. Gird your loins.

The people of Palestine wore long robes. Bringing them up and tying them with a belt would facilitate movement and work.

v. 36. Be like servants who await their master's return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.

The time of return from a wedding was unpredictable. It would be late into the night.

v. 39. Be sure of this: if the master of the house had known the hour when the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.

The walls of Palestinian houses were thin and made of mud. Entry would be easy. You just had to open a hole.

What are the disciples to be prepared for?

Originally, they had to be prepared for the death of Jesus and the crisis into which this would plunge the disciples. They should also be prepared for the destruction of Jerusalem which was punishment for the rejection of the Messiah.

After all these came to pass, the warning of Jesus was applied to the Parousia, that is, to the return of Jesus at the end of time.