Walking with Jesus: Twenty-Second Sunday in Ordinary Time

For Sunday, August 28, 2022

Sirach 3:17-18, 20, 28-29; Hebrews 12:18-19, 22-24; Luke 14:1, 7-14

We have an unusual Gospel today where Jesus goes to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. We are talking about wealth and living in affluence. One of the amazing traits of Jesus is that He was comfortable with all types, all cultures, and those from different circumstances, both rich and poor. He loved them and touched them all … leading them closer to His Father.

In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus’ disciples have left everything to follow Him [Luke 18:26-30]. Luke narrates several of Jesus’ parables that show the foolishness of being possessed by wealth: the rich farmer who dies before bigger barns can be built [Luke 12:13-21] and the rich man who refuses to notice Lazarus dying at his doorstep and, after his death, bargains with Abraham for an escape from hell. We are to be as aware of others’ needs as the Good Samaritan. [Luke 10:30-36]. Jesus suggests repeatedly that instead of feasting with friends we can provide food for the poor, care for the lame, and take care of the homeless and those who have no resources [Luke 14:12-24].

The Pharisee in today's Gospel does not intimidate Jesus. Nothing and no one distracts Him from insisting on the truths of heaven: love, care and forgiveness. He demonstrates that money, possessions and power have no hold over Him. The Lord shows us this so we can show others God’s love. His time with these important people has a deeper meaning and suggests that the rich can live differently by having an awareness for the poor, the needy, the forgotten, and those crushed by society.

What is the lesson for these VIPs? Jesus follows His own advice. He assumes the lowest class, that of a criminal, and receives the most humiliating form of death, that of crucifixion. He is stripped of every honor and every piece of clothing. He is dragged through the mire by His enemies’ lies and corruption. Yet because He humbles Himself, the Lord is glorified. The law of the Kingdom of God turns everything upside down. His message to these famous individuals: Don’t assume that your importance on earth will grant you the highest seat of honor in heaven. Yet Jesus adds a twist: He doesn’t condemn their desire for honor and reward but elevates it: We should seek our reward in heaven. God sees all … He loves all … especially those who are aware of the poor and needy. This sets our hearts free. Instead of being pressured to return benefits to the rich who reward us, help the poor instead. They can’t return favors or “precious things” … gratitude is their gift and love is their thanks.

The author of the Book of Sirach, Jesus ben Sirach, spent his days reading and reflecting on the books of the Bible, especially the Law of Moses. He shares his insights to help others make progress in their faith journey. Look to God is his message. Live God. The first line of our reading identifies humility as a key characteristic for those seeking wisdom. We can help and give, which is admirable, but it is far more important to be recognized by God for the good things said and done in our lives. There are many goals in life and they should not ... they must not ... take precedence over God and His Church.

Paul points out that the Israelites saw smoke, fire and a trumpet blast coming from Mt. Sinai when Moses received the Law from God, and fear dominated their lives. Now people have seen Jesus triumphant in His death on the cross. The concern is no longer fear but realizing God’s forgiveness, love and peace. We are loved, we are created to be love, and we return to heaven to be with Love.

So I reflect on:

• I think about where I have power or privilege or influence. How do I use it? Do I abuse it? How could I use that which God has given me to be more caring and compassionate?
• I am needy and empty before God. All that is good I have received as a gift. Suffering has taught me to be more humble and compassionate. How am I doing in this?
  

Sacred Space 2022 states:

“Saint Ignatius of Loyola suggests we ask insistently for the grace to be able to make the same choices Jesus made: to ask to be like Him in refusing honors, and to choose to be humble and even humiliated as He was. I ask for the freedom to accept humiliations calmly and gracefully when they come.”