Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: November 6, 2023

Date in the Ordine: Monday of the 31st Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: Luke 14:12-14

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees. He said to the host who invited him, "When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or sisters or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

Today’s gospel text from Luke recounts Jesus’ teaching concerning righteous motivation. While the text doesn’t tell us who was at the dinner that Jesus attended, we get the impression because of his words to the host that it filled with people of influence or wealth because Jesus tells the host and us that we should not base our actions on what future good might be in it for us but rather on what present good can be done for those in need. Jesus is warning us against being calculating people who act selfishly yet present ourselves as gracious and generous. Rather, we are to use our hearts, minds and eyes to detect the real needs among us and address them without thought of repayment or favor.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

How do I respond to real need when I encounter it? Am I as gracious and generous towards others as I’d hope they’d be towards me if I were in genuine need? Am I open to a loving relationship with others whose living conditions and situations are different than mine?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You created us all as your daughters and sons. And your love for us and your desire for our lives, for our salvation, led You to send your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to dwell among us, to reveal your love for us, and to selflessly offer his life upon the cross for our redemption. He died for all of us, not just some, not just those who were doing well or were affluent or powerful. His gift to us was not based on our merit but his love. Help us to recognize in our sisters and brothers the worth You wove within them and the love your Son felt for them upon the cross. Send your Spirit to stir your love within us, to make of us the children You created us to be, and the disciples Jesus calls us to be. We ask this in the name of your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.