First reading Romans 11:29-36
God never takes back his gifts
God never takes back his gifts or revokes his choice.
Just as you changed from being disobedient to God, and now enjoy mercy because of their disobedience, so those who are disobedient now – and only because of the mercy shown to you – will also enjoy mercy eventually. God has imprisoned all men in their own disobedience only to show mercy to all mankind.
How rich are the depths of God – how deep his wisdom and knowledge – and how impossible to penetrate his motives or understand his methods! Who could ever know the mind of the Lord? Who could ever be his counsellor? Who could ever give him anything or lend him anything?
All that exists comes from him; all is by him and for him. To him be glory for ever! Amen.
Responsorial Psalm 68(69):30-31,33-34,36-37
In your great love, answer me, O God.
As for me in my poverty and pain
let your help, O God, lift me up.
I will praise God’s name with a song;
I will glorify him with thanksgiving.
The poor when they see it will be glad
and God-seeking hearts will revive;
for the Lord listens to the needy
and does not spurn his servants in their chains.
For God will bring help to Zion
and rebuild the cities of Judah
and men shall dwell there in possession.
The sons of his servants shall inherit it;
those who love his name shall dwell there.
Gospel Luke 14:12-14
Do not invite those who might be able to invite you back
Jesus said to his host, one of the leading Pharisees, ‘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.’
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God loves a big-hearted, cheerful giver
In Jesus’ time, the Pharisees had high social standing in Jewish society and would only associate with those in their class. Jesus, in the gospel, challenged His host, who invited Him to a meal to expand his heart and welcome into his home those he considered undeserving and lowly. He knew that His host invited to his home only those who could give him something back in return, for example, to get invited for a meal in future.
Jesus ate with the rich and the poor, the religious and the sinners. He associated with all without expecting to get anything in return for giving of Himself. By doing so, He revealed a God whose heart is big enough to include all and love all without conditions and expectations. Often, we can be tempted to exclude people who are different from us as well as give ourselves to others and expect to get something in return. Let us look at Jesus again and allow Him to teach us how to expand our hearts to all and practice generosity that does not seek a return from others.
Reflective question:
What is Jesus’ invitation to me in this time of prayer?
What is Jesus’ invitation to me in this time of prayer?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
