HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 30TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME – CYCLE I

CYCLE I: HOMILY FOR SATURDAY OF THE 30TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

HOMILY THEME: HUMILITY…”He had noticed how they tried to take the places of honor”

BY: Fr. Josep FONT i Gallart

HOMILY:

Today, did you notice the beginning of this Gospel? «They [the Pharisees] were carefully watching him». Jesus also watched and «noticed how they tried to take the places of honor» (Lk 14:1). But… what a different way to watch! Watching, as any other internal or external action, substantially varies depending upon the motivations that provoke it, depending upon the internal motives, upon what the observer’s heart has inside. The Pharisees —as mentioned in different places of the Gospel— always observe Jesus to try to incriminate him in something wrong. And Jesus observes to help, to serve, to do well. And, as a loving mother, advises: «When you are invited to a wedding party, do not choose the best seat» (Lk 13:8).

Jesus says with words whatever He is, whatever He has in his heart: He is not looking to be honored but to honor; He does not think of his honor, but of his Father’s glorification. He does not think of himself but of the other. Jesus’s whole life is a revelation of who God is: “God is love”.

This is why, in Jesus, it becomes a reality —more than in anybody else— his teaching: «Rather, He emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and found human in appearance (…) Because of this, God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name» (Phil 2:7.9).

Jesus is Master in deeds and words. We, Christians, want to be his disciples. We can only assume the Master's behavior if we have inside our heart what He had, if we have his Spirit, his Spirit of love. Let us work to completely open ourselves to his Spirit and to let him get hold of us and be entirely possessed by him. And, let us do this, without thinking of being “enhanced”, without thinking of us, but only of him. «Should there be no heaven, I would love you; should there be no hell, I would be afraid of you; just as I love you I should love you» (Author unknown). Being only carried by love.

Fr. Josep FONT i Gallart (Tremp, Lleida, Spain)

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