Fresh Dew Media

 22^ND SUNDAY, YEAR C: REFLECTION BY FR. JULIAN EKEH

THEME: THE TWO WORRIES OF JESUS IN A BANQUET HALL

(Luke 14:1.7-14)

It is indeed uneasy to grab the fact that in a banquet Jesus entertained some worries. Banquet should be a place where people go to forget their sorrow (tashiri ugba, ñushiri mmii, mesarakwanu ahu). But Jesus was disturbed in twofold by the attitude of His fellow guests and the host.

He uses two parables to warn us against the two vices of pride and selfish relationships. Jesus knows how to translate every opportunity to teaching. He knows how not to waste time in correcting anomalies. He is always observant in any environment He enters. He enters the house of the ruler and took the place reserved for Him.

Now let us look into the two factors that disturbed Jesus when He should be enjoying His meal at the table.

 

FIRST WORRY: (WITH THE GUESTS) TAKING ANOTHER'S PLACE

Round table discussions are allowed at occasions. Exchange of pleasantries are welcomed.  As soon as Jesus entered, discussions started. I tried to understand in my ordinary way what could have led Jesus to start talking about taking a place of honour. I imagined that Jesus at entering the place may have behaved gentle. He may have wanted to take the commonest position. He may have stood at one corner with His disciples. Then the usher must have noticed him standing at one of the places that is not for the honourables and then led Him up to the high tables. It is therefore at this point that the issue which may have led to the parables of today started. I want to think that they asked Him why He must take the place of the lowly. And Jesus in their very midst observed how they took their own positions and explained to them that honour is not what people should give to themselves but what should be merited.

The honour you enjoy, is it given to you or are you arrogating it to yourself?  Pride goes before a fall. He who exalts Himself is humbled. But he who humbles himself is exalted. The quest to be recognized, to show off, to make claims of what one is not has actually destroyed our world. This ungodly desire makes people not to be comfortable with what and who they are and have. It makes a person to spend more than his income. To live in a mansion when you're meant in reality to live in a place that's more modest. Jesus calls it 'taking another's place'. Pride leads to unhealthy competition. 'Laam ishi alara Jon, i wu jon?' Why do you take another's place.  We know of some students who denied their parents and called them their housemaid to maintain the high position they placed themselves in school. Some used other peoples' houses as theirs when they are from very poor homes.

Your place is reserved for you.

He is the chairman today, you may be tomorrow. Why are you not happy being where you're called to be today? When the high place is envied, definitely the one who gets there must look down on others therefrom. It will indeed be a thing of shame when you consider how the mighty will fall if pride takes the lead. Nebuchadnezzar is a good example. A lot of self-acclaimed lords in our own days have fallen and yet keep making noise. The proud man's disease is indeed incurable. The best cure to this disease is prescribed by Jesus today: Go down, take the least place, do not seek recognition, be normal and do the normal. Humble yourself the Lord will take you up. To be human is to be drawn from the humus, which is soil and this is humility. When the hand of God touches you that place you will certainly go high. That is God's will for us; to go high in goodness. But Lucifer who has been made to fall wants to pull each and everyone of us down. May you be taken up from below and never be thrown down from above.

 

THE SECOND WORRY OF JESUS (WITH THE HOST): UNNECESSARY CONNECTION

Jesus looked around and saw His fellow guests. They were people well placed in the society. Today in Nigeria we can see them as the senators, the governors, the party chairpersons, the business tycoons, the CEOs of big companies, the religious leaders etc. It was a "colourful" audience. But the colours were incomplete. The beauty was not there. Some and in fact the most important group of people who actually needed a banquet were not present. Why? they were not invited.  Who and who is welcomed around you? Who do you give your invitation cards to? Who do you call to sponsor your wedding? An exemplary poor man or a scandalous rich man? Who do you call to be Godfather or Godmother to your children at baptism? On what grounds? Financial stability or moral probity? All these worried Jesus so much.

It disturbs Christ that the developed countries of the world cannot assist the third world countries without stealing their resources from them. It worries Him how the rich related only with the rich. It annoys Him that the Governor's daughter can only be married by a Governor's son or a Governor to be. It pains Him that true love can never be shown by the mighty to the lowly. It pains Him that the poor masses are only given gifts with hooks. Yes, they are only remembered when it is time for election. Only remembered when it is time to use them as thugs, remembered when they are needed for dangerous business. It pains Him that the rich man can't send his children to study in the public schools with the poor children. It pains Jesus that the only door through which the poor can enter and interact with their rich counterparts is blocked with soldiers.

Jesus is not happy that the poor are even taking stones ready to be violent at their rich exploiters in the high places yet they remain insensitive. Jesus is seriously worried that the wealth of a nation is being enjoyed by a part of the country leaving others who should benefit more impoverished. Let these barriers be destroyed. May we not invite only those who invite us. Let us in humility take our places in service to God and humanity and be generous in distributing our God-given favours. May God reward us abundantly on the resurrection morn for our humility and generosity.

May God bless His word in our hearts.

 

LET US PRAY

Oh Lord, we thank You for this word of life. We thank You for making our world a place of happiness for all. We are sorry for making you feel sad by our greed and wickedness.  Help us to live our lives in a way that will make You happy with us. May Your teaching today sink into our hearts through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Happy Sunday to you

(22nd Sunday, Ordinary Time, Yr. C)

Rev. Fr Julian O Ekeh