Romans 11:29-36
Luke 14:12-14
The act of charity knows no bounds.
In today’s gospel, the Lord told the Pharisee who hosted him to have a universal heart towards everyone even when it comes to inviting others to a meal. It means we must open our hearts to everyone especially those who will not return the Favour. He wants us to have a heart that has dispelled fears, sentiments , prejudices, and categories; a heart that fully trusts in God. At the same time , it also means rejecting the idols of wealth, power, and status in favor of compassion and humility.
More often than none,those we push away are those who we really need to bring closer to God. Just like St. Paul acknowledges in today’s first reading we must show mercy to all mankind just like we ourselves have obtained mercy through Jesus Christ our savior.
Today let us pray for the grace to be open to the call and gift of God to live lives of compassion and humility, open to everyone we encounter today, whether they have high status of a wealthy executive or are paupers begging on the street.
Fr Joseph Osho