August 30 |
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22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Luke 14:1,7-14 |
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| Background: Chapter 14 of Luke’s gospel includes several stories and saying of Jesus centering around a meal. Luke alone uses a meal setting to recounts Jesus’ teaching on humility and the importance of concern for the less fortunate. In today’s selection, Jesus notices the behavior of the Pharisees, who watched closely hoping to catch him off guard. Their attempts to be in the place of honor show their hypocrisy, offering Jesus an opportunity to critique the practice and praise the virtue of humility. Luke includes the story about who should be invited to a banquet as a teaching on concern for the poor, the blind and the lame. At the same time Jesus chastises those who would keep the blind and the lame from the temple. God invites them to the divine banquet. So, too, those who care for them may hope to receive a similar invitation. |
read the padre |
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Story: Once upon a time a couple began planning their wedding. They were somewhat overwhelmed at the thought of how expensive it would be to have even a simple party for all the people they hoped would come to celebrate this important occasion with them. The bride spent two years after college working as a volunteer with very poor people. She found it hard to justify the expense of the wedding. Still, they felt that a wedding is a time to gather their large families and many friends to witness their commitment and rejoice with them. Finally they decided on a way to celebrate with their family and friends and at the same time help people less fortunate. They included a card in their invitation, inviting their guests to help them help the poor and disabled by considering a donation to one of their favorite charities. This concern for the poor touched many who received the invitation. Those who attended the wedding commented on how impressed they were by the thoughtfulness of the young couple. As a result various charities received donations. By all accounts, the wedding was a great feast. |
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