Do The Supernatural

22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time
29 August 2010


We are God’s people, the sheep of his flock: come, let us worship him, alleluia.

First reading Ecclesiasticus 3:19-21,30-31
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.

Psalm or canticle: Psalm 67:4-7,10-11

Second reading Hebrews 12:18-19,22-24
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 14:1,7-14
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 Anabelle Payod-Balla

Last October 2009, I was invited to participate in a one of a kind birthday celebration. The celebrant, Mrs. Fely Santiago has chosen to celebrate her 50th birthday in Tahanan ni Maria Home for the Aged in Carmona, Cavite, together with the Lolos (grandfathers) and Lolas (grandmothers) who now have no one from their respective families to take care of them. It was her “golden” birthday celebration, a very special milestone in her life, and yet she chose to spend it with the less fortunate so she can make them happy and feel loved. Instead of receiving gifts for herself, she was the one giving gifts to the elders, together with her invited friends and relatives. This act is one of those I consider out of ordinary.

The Gospel this Sunday is urging us to do the extraordinary. To be humble and hospitable is to do what comes out supernaturally. When we are wronged, we should not do what comes naturally which is to get even or fight back. Let us instead do what comes supernaturally which is to forgive and pray for those people who wronged us. When treating guests or neighbors, oftentimes, we give more attention and special treatment to the rich and important people. The supernatural thing to do is to give more importance to those who are poor, those who cannot pay us back, those who needed most help. It might be difficult at first but it gets easier with practice. And I assure you that the rewards are far greater than anything earth can offer because the guarantor of these people is none other than God the Father.

Serving the rich, the famous, and the important people may bring pride to us, but serving the poor and less fortunate will definitely bring more Glory to God.

Father, as Your children, we are capable of doing the extraordinary things that will give You more glory. Help us to make it a habit to serve You better by humbly serving those people who need most help. In Jesus' name with the Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen.

Humility seeks to glorify not ourselves, but God.

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