REFLECTIONS TODAY
Exclusion and marginalization of certain peoples are ever increasing in our time, for various reasons: creed, gender, color, appearance, etc. Many of us only give attention and importance to our friends, or to people who have credentials. Our circle of friends does not go beyond those who belong to our “kind” or status. We are becoming more protective of ourselves at the risk of exclusivity and narrow-mindedness. But not Jesus. He welcomes all sorts of people, not just those who are good or virtuous. On the contrary, he shows preference for those deemed sinners. His advice in today’s Gospel to welcome into our celebrations not so much our friends but more so those outside of our usual circles is an invitation to live like Christ who reaches out to all of us, yes, but especially to those whom society excludes. Are we willing to take the risks of opening up to others we never relate to, even if it will inconvenience us or threaten our sense of security?
First Reading • Phil 2:1-4
Brothers and sisters: If there is any encouragement in Christ, any solace in love, any participation in the Spirit, any compassion and mercy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, with the same love, united in heart, thinking one thing. Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves, each looking out not for his own interests, but also everyone for those of others.
Responsorial Psalm • Ps 131
“In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.”
Gospel • Luke 14:12-14
On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. He said to the host who invited him, “When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.