Luke 14:12-14 – 31st Week of Ordinary Time
Today Jesus challenges us to move out of our “comfort zone.” On a Sabbath Jesus was invited by an influential Pharisee to come and dine at his home. Jesus accepted his invitation. As they enjoyed the meal together, Jesus naturally talked with his host. In the course of conversation Jesus told his host that the next time he had a banquet, he should invite those people who are in need: the blind, the lame and the destitute. Jesus promised his host that if he did invite the “least,” in return he would be blessed. I wonder how the man responded. The Gospel doesn’t say.
Today Jesus is inviting us to “welcome the least” among us. No matter where we live, we have the “poor” among us. The “poor” among us may not be financially destitute. Or the “poor” may be someone who has a beautiful home, a good salary and seemingly a good life, yet they truly may be “poor” in all the ways that matter.
Are we willing to step out of our comfort zone and invite those who are “poor” to join us? Am I willing to open my door and my heart to them? If we are not ready to take this step, then today may we ask Jesus to open our hearts and to give us the grace and the courage to “invite the least in.” If we do this, we may find that “the least” are the ones who will give us a great gift!
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