Twenty-Second Sunday of Ordinary Time—Year C

Lectio

    Luke 14:1, 7–14

Meditatio

“… blessed indeed will you be.…”

    Miss Manners would have been appalled at today’s Gospel scene. Unlike Jesus, she would have advised every “Gentle Reader” to wait to be seated by the host. She may have remarked that a guest list does not commonly include “the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,” and that Jesus was rude to upbraid his host! But Jesus’ wisdom transcends mere etiquette, even if it has profound social implications. His eyes are fixed on the Father, who “causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust” (Mt 5:45), and who beckons everyone from “the streets and alleys of the town” to join in the wedding reception for his Son (see Lk 14:15ff.). Imagine a world where everyone looks out for one another, not only from a sense of justice, but also out of humble love. It’s possible only if we recognize how we ourselves have been received.

    The scene also recalls the table Jesus spreads in his words “spoken publicly to the world” (Jn 18:20) and in his body offered “to gather into one the dispersed children of God” (Jn 11:52). It is a table he spreads sacramentally even now “on behalf of many” (Mt 26:28). The Eucharist is the sign of the heavenly banquet where everyone, without exception, dines in communion with Christ and one another. Today’s teaching foreshadows his ultimate self-gift, presenting him as an inviting example: “… as I have done for you, you should also do” (Jn 13:15). The promise? We will be “repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” The beauty of Christ’s teaching here and throughout the Gospel is that as we try to make this world a better place, the people we become in the process never die. This is not only reward, but an uninterrupted continuum made gloriously complete in the resurrection of these bodies that have welcomed one another.

Oratio

    Master, sometimes when I look at our world, I get discouraged. If only we all followed your teaching. Many people don’t care, though. Others care, but fall short.

    What’s that? Forgive as I’m forgiven? Don’t judge, and I won’t be judged? Oh, right. How many of us may have to relinquish our presumed places of honor in the kingdom to make way for those who’ve wronged you, blindsided us, repented (even poorly), and hobbled in making amends? Actually, I do all those things. As I humbly accept them, open me more to receive the grace that can transform the world.

Contemplatio

    “My reward is with the Lord, my recompense is with my God” (Is 49:4).

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ORDINARY GRACE Weeks 18–34: Daily Gospel Reflections (By the Daughters of St. Paul)