22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 14: 1, 7-14

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

Have you ever been involved in arranging a wedding, drinking from the poisoned chalice known as the seating plan? You can't put the in-laws' noses out of joint ... warring parties can't be sat too close to each other .. and nowadays, there's always the problem of what to do with a parent who has a new partner. Today's Gospel sees Jesus using the etiquette of seating arrangements to teach us more about what's really important for the Kingdom of God. The word Pharisee means "separated one." The Pharisees considered themselves above the rest of humanity, an elite caste which could be compromised by those whom they considered ritually or morally unclean - which meant basically the rest of humanity! They would go to almost any lengths to retain their ritual purity through full observance of all the laws, rules and regulations just in order to make sure that their day, and, more importantly, their meal, was holy. Today, we see them observing Jesus closely in order to find out whether He's "one of them" or just an ordinary five-eight!

For the wedding party, it's all about status, and the atmosphere isn't relaxed because everyone there is scrutinising this young preacher: what He'll do, what He'll say, how He'll behave. Jesus uses the parable to illustrate how everyone jockeys for position in order to build themselves up rather than be sidelined. He tells His listeners to be more intent upon concentrating on their neighbours' good rather than their own, calling them to look out for the vulnerable, the poor, the powerless, all those who will be unable to repay their generosity. He shows a fundamental preference for the little people, Forget self, forget status, He tells them, and look to the needs of others

I suppose it's easy to laugh at the antics of the Pharisees nowadays. But we can still fall into the same trap of worrying about our status - where we are in society, and what our neighbours will think. Who gets my attention in my daily life - those who are important, who can "do" something for me, with whom I can network ... or those who are powerless and need me to do something for them? Jesus singled out the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind as the ones who were to be given special treatment. How do I react to the untouchables of my own day - asylum seekers taking jobs, prisoners, gay people, AIDS sufferers? Do I look down on them? Would I be comfortable helping them? Am I better than them?

Mary, the mother of Jesus was the greatest human being to inhabit our world' yet she never made a song and dance about it, because she knew where her great­ ness came from. Let's take our place with her at this Mass, so that, like her, we too may proclaim and magnify the Lord, Who has done such great things for us, as well.

Let's ask ourselves some hard questions: are we really aware of our need for God, instead of thinking that we're more or·less self-sufficient? Do we really feel that we're in need of saving, or do we think that, basically, we're ok and able to mange quite well by ourselves, thank you.

Intercessions

Today's psalm speaks of God's care for the poor, the needy, the hungry and the bereaved. We approach Him now to ask for our own needs, and those of our world:-

l. For all who hold public office in Church or country, Make them outstanding in humility and gentleness, striving to uphold the dignity and freedom of all - Lord, hear us.

2.      For peace and reconciliation between countries and communities divided by war. Grant them a greater understanding and tolerance of each others' views, together with a readiness to sit down, listen and exchange views - Lord, hear us.

3.      May both staff and pupils in our schools and colleges achieve a greater respect for each other, so that, together, they may build up Your Kingdom within their own community - Lord, hear us.

4.      For ourselves. Help us to care less about our personal status and adopt a more tolerant attitude towards those less fortunate than ourselves, especially those whose difficulties we consider to be self-inflicted. May we reach out to them with practical support and love, as our brothers and sisters in Christ - Lord, hear us.

5.      Bring John Gerard Bermingham and Leon Brown who have died recently, together with Annie McGinley, Pat Harvie, Alec Dunn, and Edward Power, whose anniversaries we call to mind, into Your eternal light and comfort them with Your presence - Lord, hear us.

God our Father, we ask You to hear these prayers, and grant us the grace to share the humility and gentleness which Your Son.