Reflections from the August 28 Gospel
Luke 14:1, 7-14
Today Jesus instructs us to be generous enough to serve others without expecting repayment. At least, without expecting to be repaid in this life. It’s interesting that the Gospel concludes with Jesus’ promise that if we follow this teaching, we “will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” In other words, God will “repay” our generosity on earth by welcoming us into heaven. In essence, Jesus tells us to use our money for the sake of others, not just to assure our own earthly comfort. Instead of investing everything in a bank, Jesus asks us to invest in the poor. After all, no bank on earth can possibly provide the infinite rate of return that Jesus promises. Really, what better investment could there possibly be?
Questions of the Week
Luke 14:1, 7-14:
Do you think the host of the party
(“the leading Pharisee”) regretted inviting
Jesus to his banquet in light of the parable?
Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29:
Why do you think God favors the virtue
of humility?
Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24a:
What would you say is the point of the contrasts offered by the author of Hebrews?