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Father Daniel Toof |
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“RSVP” from the French: “Répondez s'il vous plaît” (“reply, if you please”) Today we hear that Jesus responded positively to an invitation to eat a Sabbath meal with a large group of Pharisees. They had invited Him because of His popularity and miracles, not because they liked Him. Luke tells us that they “watched Jesus closely” to see what He would say and do, to see if they could catch Jesus in a mistake or trap him in an argument about the Law. What did Jesus do? He healed a man who suffered from dropsy, even though it was the Sabbath. Which of them, even on the Sabbath, Jesus asked, would not go and save their own son or even a valuable farm animal that had fallen into a pit or well? None could say they would not. So Jesus healed the man from his illness. Jesus then noticed that the Pharisees kept competing with each other for the seats near the head of the table. They wanted to show their relative social status by where they were seated. Jesus taught them to show humility –saying those who humble themselves will be exalted. Jesus also saw how the party was only for the rich; thrown for only the elite who would be able to repay the host with a similar invitation in the future. It was very much a strings–attached kind of love. Jesus teaches us that true love is a selfless, no–strings–attached love that invites those who cannot repay in kind — the poor, the disabled, the lame, and the blind. It is, after all, what God was in their midst doing: inviting to His feast of salvation the poor, the disabled, the lame, the blind, of all Pharisees who have been distorted, maimed, disfigured, and ravaged in both mind and body by sin and the lies of the devil. To love one another unconditionally, without note of their visible condition, and thus, in loving the least of these, we love as God has first loved us, loving us when we were destitute and could do nothing to deserve it. Jesus’ banquet, contrary to one we might throw, is open to all. In the parable, Jesus is the “certain man” who is continually preparing His feast and making it ready. He is calling, inviting, the many nations to His feast. The invitation is not ever withdrawn. He sends out His servant (apostles) in each and every place to remind those who are always invited that the feast is already prepared — is ready to be received, no strings attached. Blessed are you who hear the Gospel call to the King’s Feast and keep it. Jesus is making a place for you at His Heavenly feast, and He desires His house to be filled. Come and receive His eternal blessing won by His perfect and atoning life, death, and resurrection. No RSVP necessary, and no regrets, please! Christ’s peace, Fr. Dan
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St. Anna’s Catholic Church 836 East Spring Street Monroe Ga. 30655 Phone : 770-267-7637 |
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Aug 29nd 2010 22nd Sunday in Ordinary time |
