FRIDAY, May 20, 2005 (Alcuin)
Luke 14:1-11
Now it happened that on a Sabbath day he had gone to share a meal in the house of one of the leading Pharisees; and they watched him closely. Now there in front of him was a man with dropsy, and Jesus addressed the lawyers and Pharisees with the words, ‘Is it against the law to cure someone on the Sabbath, or not?’ But they remained silent, so he took the man and cured him and sent him away. Then he said to them, ‘Which of you here, if his son falls into a well, or his ox, will not pull him out on a Sabbath day without any hesitation?’ And to this they could find no answer. He then told the guests a parable, because he had noticed how they picked the places of honour. He said this, ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour. A more distinguished person than you may have been invited, and the person who invited you both may come and say, “Give up your place to this man.” And then, to your embarrassment, you will have to go and take the lowest place. No; when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that, when your host comes, he may say, “My friend, move up higher.” Then, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured. For everyone who raises himself up will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be raised up.’ -- The New Jerusalem Bible. Garden City, N.Y.: Doubleday, 1995, c1985
The Fox, redux
The verses before these describe a set of Pharisees who warned Jesus of Herod's enmity; Jesus responded by calling Herod a "fox." They were the most kindly-treated Pharisees in the gospels! Here, however, the writers' type-casting returns in full flower.
A Reflection
The Sabbath theme is repeated once again. Surely Israel's interpretation of a day of rest had gone so far from its benevolent intent that Jesus felt compelled to speak out against its foolishness.
Jesus sets up his adversaries with a question, performs an act, and then queries them as to their own behavior, similar to his actions when brought the woman accused as an adultress: "which of you will cast the first stone?". Remember?
And Jesus did all this at a VIP's house, to which he had been invited as a guest. He proceeds to rub salt in the wound just inflicted by apparently scolding the other guests for their behavior in seeking the place of honor. He reminds them that humility is far to be honored over the prideful place gained in humiliating another.
The Collect
Almighty God, who in a rude and barbarous age raised up your deacon Alcuin to rekindle the light of learning: Illumine our minds, we pray, that amid the uncertainties and confusions of our own time we may show forth your eternal truth, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
2:50:25 PM 
|
|
