The Gift of Everlasting Life

22nd Sunday In Ordinary Time
02 September 2007

First Reading: Ecclesiasticus 3:19-31
My son, be gentle in carrying out your business,
and you will be better loved than a lavish giver.
The greater you are, the more you should behave humbly,
and then you will find favour with the Lord;
for great though the power of the Lord is,
he accepts the homage of the humble.
There is no cure for the proud man’s malady,
since an evil growth has taken root in him.
The heart of a sensible man will reflect on parables,
an attentive ear is the sage’s dream.

Second Reading: Hebrews 12:18 - 24
What you have come to is nothing known to the senses: not a blazing fire, or a gloom turning to total darkness, or a storm; or trumpeting thunder or the great voice speaking which made everyone that heard it beg that no more should be said to them. But what you have come to is Mount Zion and the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem where the millions of angels have gathered for the festival, with the whole Church in which everyone is a ‘first-born son’ and a citizen of heaven. You have come to God himself, the supreme Judge, and been placed with spirits of the saints who have been made perfect; and to Jesus, the mediator who brings a new covenant and a blood for purification which pleads more insistently than Abel’s.

Gospel: Luke 14:1 - 14
Now on a sabbath day Jesus had gone for a meal to the house of one of the leading Pharisees; and they watched him closely. He then told the guests a parable, because he had noticed how they picked the places of honour. He said this, ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour. A more distinguished person than you may have been invited, and the person who invited you both may come and say, “Give up your place to this man”. And then, to your embarrassment, you would have to go and take the lowest place. No; when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that, when your host comes, he may say, “My friend, move up higher”. In that way, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’

Then he said to his host, ‘When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers, relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again.’

Reflection
By Elizabeth R. Eguia

"…when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again."

Let us look at typical scenarios happening in an office, school, and at home. Employees perform their tasks from 8am to 5pm. They go on overtime when work is not finished as scheduled. At the end of each year, performance evaluation takes place. Employees are evaluated and corresponding increase on salary is given. At school students study hard and take theirs exams. To graduate would mean passing these exams. At home, when we are obedient and we follow our parents, we are given gifts. Every effort done has a corresponding reward at the end. This has been emphasized in these three scenarios. But what does it have to do with our Gospel today?

Our Gospel today tells us of a greater blessing that we can receive in life. It is more than recognition, or praise, or monetary benefits. It is the gift of Everlasting Life. His requirement is very simple. Do good acts to anyone especially the least fortunate. And who are these people? He maybe the brother you have not talked to for sometime, or your strict dad whom you have a grudge on, or your best friend who betrayed you or even just a stranger like a beggar who just needs some food to ease his hunger. These are the individuals who need our attention, our love even in its simplest ways.

When we meet God face to face, He will not ask us how much fame, fortune, or prestige we have earned. At that moment, He will just ask you and me two things: “My child, how did you use the gifts I gave you?” and “How many brothers and sisters have you made a difference in their lives?”

Heavenly Father, we thank You for this message. We thank You for reminding us of the people we have neglected to love and make a difference in their lives. Through Your mercy and guidance, grant us the grace to act spontaneously and help anyone without expecting any reward in return. We are doing this for your greater glory and honor, Oh Lord. Amen.