True wisdom
Jim wore his learning on his sleeve. He loved to go on about all the books he had read and would draw people into complicated philosophical debates which he would always “win”—usually by intimidating the other person.

At first, we were all very impressed by Jim’s intelligence, and we all deferred to him. Over time, however, his attitude began to wear thin and some people began to question his sincerity.

It got to the point where Jim was regularly mocked behind his back. I felt very sorry for Jim, because I knew he just wanted what everyone wants—to be loved and accepted. He confused impressing people with being liked. He confused being smart with being a good friend.

Lord, teach me humility about my intelligence. Let me always put the heart before the head.

In today’s gospel, Jesus dines with religious leaders and takes the opportunity to teach some important qualities of discipleship and holiness. As with so many things he did, Jesus’ befriending social outcasts and eating with them angered his opponents. They murmured against him, “He has gone in to be a guest of a man who is a sinner,” or “Look at him who eats with tax collectors and prostitutes!”

But where others saw only sinners, people on the fringe, public pariahs to be ostracized and cast out, Jesus saw human beings, trapped in their own failure, desperately trying to be something better, awkwardly trying to make their way back into the community.

The first lesson of today’s gospel is that God exalts, not humans! Recognition of our lowliness is the proper stance for human beings. The rich, the powerful, and the just find it very difficult to be humbly open to God; they are full of confidence in their own treasures and securities.

The second lesson of today’s gospel goes against the accepted, normal practice of inviting only those who can be expected to return the favor in one form or another. All of those recommended by Jesus to be on our invitation lists will receive the places of honor in the banquet of the kingdom: the poor, the lame, the blind—those who cannot repay us.

Rev. Thomas M. Rosica, CSB