Luke 4:12-25. Look at verse 1, Luke 4:1 ii. It can hurt the recipient much more than a blunt refusal. i. Jesus said compel to indicate God’s great desire to fill His house, and because these wanderers and outcasts needed to be convinced that they were welcome, compelled by love. ii. The seating arrangement at the table indicated one’s standing in the community. People respond to a challenging gospel if the truth is spoken in love. Short, Simple and Personal reflections on the daily Holy Mass Gospel. Share on Facebook . That means that true Christianity must act as a preservative against the corruption of the world. i. iii. UNDER THE SCRUTINY OF HOSTILE MEN (Luke 14:1-6). Luke does not say and so we can’t be sure, but there is some reason to believe that the Pharisees planted this man with dropsy there in front of Jesus to see whether He would violate their rules against healing on the Sabbath. Click to enable/disable essential site cookies. These men were probably devout Jews looking for the Messiah, given the way they respond to the angel's words. Sunday reflection: Luke 18:9–14. Who gets the news first, a Reflection on Luke 2:1-14 Augustus is emperor; Quirinius is governor. It was used as a defence of the inquisition, the thumb-screw, the rack, the threat of death and imprisonment, the campaigns against heretics, all those things which are the shame of Christianity.” (Barclay), iv. Preoccupation with material things and experiences is a common excuse for not following Jesus. The only things they control are somebody else's sheep. In the most vivid way possible he told them that the man who followed him was not on the way to worldly power and glory, but must be ready for a loyalty which would sacrifice the dearest things in life and for a suffering which would be like the agony of a man upon a cross. Surely this is the final condemnation of the Christian who is afraid to enjoy himself. Changes will take effect once you reload the page. The law had its meticulous regulations about Sabbath meals. He may even with the gift throw in a short and smug lecture. "Go out," said the master, "and compel them to come in." 31st Tuesday of Ordinary Time – Gospel Luke 14:15-24 Go out quickly into highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be … So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they chose the best places, saying to them: a. Reflections on Luke 14 Luke 14 (Contemporary English Version) One Sabbath, Jesus was having dinner in the home of an important Pharisee, and everyone was carefully watching Jesus. b. Yet it certainly sometimes divides, and more so among non-Christian or anti-Christian cultures. There are many stories and legends of the humility of Principal Cairns. Now we read in Luke 4:14. He would not refuse even an enemy's invitation. 4 September 2016. In the kingdom of God there is only one compulsion--the compulsion of love. She must never hold her peace through fear or favour of men. When we get our own position, either through outward or subtle pride, we can even say, “It was the Lord, it was the Lord” – but in our heart of hearts we know it was us, our own calculation, our own schemes, our own grasping. Humility not being a strength of mine then, I typically went straight to the host expecting I was to sit next to that person. (1) Jesus eats in a Pharisee’s home. If we are to understand what happened to Jesus it is essential to remember that the orthodox Jews of his day regarded him as a law-breaker. A reflection on Psalm 14 and Luke 15. Perhaps this one of those thought to break the tension with these words. Sit down first and count the cost: In the parable of the tower Jesus said, “Sit down and see if you can afford to follow Me.”, b. A Christian is only useful when he or she has the nature of Christ. Whoever does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. Ed Morrissey Posted at 11:31 am on August 28, 2016. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site. Reflection on Luke 18:9-14 The guy is not as nasty as you may think. Reflection: Luke 14:15-24 Tuesday of the 31st Week of Ordinary Time: Luke 14:15-24 . The Christian, then, must be the man who brings flavour into life. ", Ruskin, who was brought up in a rigid and a narrow home, tells how he was given a jumping-jack as a present and a pious aunt took it away from him, saying that toys were no things for a Christian child. When Jesus said this he was on the road to Jerusalem. Jesus, with searing contempt, demands how, if it be right to help an animal on the Sabbath, it can be wrong to help a man. And then, with shame, you will begin to take the lowest place. We do a great disservice when we appear to soften the demands of the gospel, either for others or for ourselves. 12:40. Please have me excused.' The story in Luke’s Gospel was told at a dinner that Jesus attended. Share on Facebook. … Continue reading "Commentary on Luke 2:1-14 [15-20]" (Revelation 19:9), Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ But they all with one accord began to make excuses. Today I'm going to reflect on the Gospel for the 26th Sunday of Ordinary Time.This is taken from Luke 16. He always said, "You first, I follow." Luke 4:14-22 New International Version (NIV) Jesus Rejected at Nazareth. Why don’t more accept the invitation? The Gospel begins with Jesus once again at table. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. • Luke 11:14-16: The diverse reactions before the expulsion of a devil. In Jesus’ day, the seating arrangement at a dinner showed a definite order of prestige or honor. Questions for Reflection and Discussion – Luke 14 15-24. And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”. There is one sentence in this parable which has been sadly misused. It is still possible for a man to be so immersed in this world that he has no time to worship, and even no time to pray. Or, is it not?" Contributed by Richard Tow on Jul 6, 2020. We should do our work hard and unto the Lord, and let God raise us up. 2) Gospel Reading - Luke 14:1,7-11 It happened that on a Sabbath day Jesus had gone to share a meal in the house of one of the leading Pharisees and they watched Him closely. Open wells were quite common in Palestine, and were not infrequently the cause of accidents (compare Exodus 21:33). (iii) A man may give in order to feel superior. Photo by Rick Morley. When Jesus told a rich guy to invite “the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind” to the feasts he throws instead of inviting good friends and family Jesus was not just spouting off some ideal to make himself look compassionate and wise. Commentary on Luke 14:15-24 (Read Luke 14:15-24) In this parable observe the free grace and mercy of God shining in the gospel of Christ, which will be food and a feast for the soul of a man that knows its own wants and miseries. The Rabbis had a saying that the best kind of giving was when the giver did not know to whom he was giving, and when the receiver did not know from whom he was receiving. They were watching him; and the word used for watching is the word used for "interested and sinister espionage." We should remember the words of George MacDonald: In whatever man does without God, he must fail miserably – or succeed more miserably. a. Reflection on Luke 17:24—This verse shows us that the Lord will return in the last days as the Son of man, just like lightning. The focus on Sabbath was to be on God alone. The following is a reflection on Luke 14:25-33, the Gospel lesson appointed for Proper 18C according to the Revised Common Lectionary. When He noted how they chose the best places: At the home of the Pharisee, Jesus noticed how people strategically placed themselves so as to be in the best places; that is, the places of most honor. Luke 4:14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee. i. Jesus perhaps alluded to the idea that the work of His kingdom was like building and battle. a. “When Jesus said this he was on the road to Jerusalem. He founded a school at Kingswood, near Bristol. A certain man gave a great supper and invited many: Jesus told a parable about a man who gave a great feast, a large banquet, inviting many people to come. To the end he never abandoned hope of men. Do not sit down in the best place: If one takes the most honored place for himself, he may be asked to be removed if the host would rather have someone else sit there. Once someone was talking to a great scholar about a younger man. Jesus had expelled a devil which was mute. Counting the cost of the tower. Friday of the 30th Week in Ordinary Time – Luke 14:1-6 Today Jesus is dining at the home of a leading Pharisee. He said, "So and so tells me that he was one of year students." i. Tragically, Augustine and others used the phrase compel them to come in as a justification to coerce people into Christianity, sometimes using persecution and torture. “And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”. i. Only a fool first buys a piece of land, and then goes to check it. Another said, 'I have married a wife, and, therefore, I cannot come.' These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience. To really walk in his footsteps every day... Who is a disciple? (Philippians 2:3). These excuse makers condemned themselves; their excuses were only a thin veil hiding the fact that they did not want to come. Jesus said to him, "There was a man who made a great banquet, and who invited many people to it. “Excuses are curses, and when you have no excuses left there will be hope for you.” (Spurgeon). (ii) A man may give purely from motives of self-interest. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer. Such giving, so far from being generosity, is rationalized selfishness. He took real-life situations familiar to all, and used them to bring forth God’s truth, especially for those open to hear His truth. Before we leave this passage we must note that Luke 14:1-24 have all to do with feasts and banquets. This challenge of reaching out to strangers especially on the Lord’s Day even today goes beyond what we think Sabbath is for. Many a man has decided never to appear in public again after hearing a master musician perform. He was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness where he was tested by the devil. If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here: We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. We all know people in whose company there are certain things we would not and could not do; and equally we all know people in whose company we might well stoop to things which by ourselves we would not do. (2 Corinthians 5:14.) Luke says, “they were watching Him closely.” You will receive your repayment at the resurrection of the righteous.". Sunday of week 4 of Lent (Cycle C) Saturday of week 2 of Lent; Luke 15:1-32 or 15:1-10. e. I have married a wife: The third excuse had to do with a man who put his family before everything. This is a subtle form of spiritual pride that is very dangerous. We must always remember that Jesus thought of the kingdom in terms of a feast. As Jesus spoke these words, everybody knew what He meant. Here the homilies are being sorted through the liturgical year. 13:33. Only if we put first things first will all things take their proper place--and love comes first. Once, as he came on to a platform, there was a great burst of applause in welcome. Now when one of those who sat at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, “Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!”. It is perilously easy for a new game, a new hobby, even a new friendship, to take up even the time that should be kept for God. You shall be repaid reminds us that we will never be the loser when we give after the pattern of God’s generosity. So, therefore, everyone of you who does not bid farewell to all his possessions cannot be my disciple.". This is an especially relevant question when one considers the sort of people who will also be at the feast: redeemed sinners and the maimed and the lame and blind. We therefore practice it every day, so that we may develop a deep and genuine love for it, and so that we may grow in the surpassing knowledge of Christ. Previously, Jesus said that coming to God was like accepting an invitation (Luke 14:16-24). It is similar to the Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-14), but with some significant differences. c. But they all with one accord began to make excuses: Central to this parable are the excuses that were offered. © Copyright - Enduring Word | . As they were enjoying the meal, one of the people at table said to Jesus: “Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God.” Jesus responded to this statement in an unusual way. 14 Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside. It was a one-way journey. We must not take his words with cold and unimaginative literalness. Jesus confronts our sin of religious hypocrisy (14:1-6). Good News Reflections are available by website, email, and text. Now it happened, as He went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees to eat bread on the Sabbath, that they watched Him closely. We are studying Luke 14:7-14 for Sunday, March 3 – a text that presents a pair of Jesus’ short discourses about social propriety, which may have implications for our understanding of the reign of God. The strong call to discipleship was consistent with the love of Jesus; it was the result of His love. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand: In the parable of the king Jesus said, “Sit down and see if you can afford to refuse My demands.”. It was taken as a command to coerce people into the Christian faith. “So if we are to have many sinners saved, we must go out of our own quiet haunts, and go forth into frequented places. Beside it we should always set another text--The love of Christ controls us. The master of the house was enraged, and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the town and bring here the poor, and the maimed, and the blind and the lame.' This helps to explain some of the pleasure of God in giving the gift of salvation and blessing to His people. Thursday of week 31 of Ordinary Time; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32. In the parable the invited guests made their excuses and men's excuses do not differ so very much today. c. His cross: Jesus chose this phrasing instead of saying, “The cross” or “A cross.” The idea is that there is a cross suited to each individual, and one person’s experience of the cross may not look just like another person’s experience of the cross. ii. ii. Vineyards were often equipped with towers from which watch was kept against thieves who might steal the harvest. That is the only real way to give. Yet those who choose to reject and resist God should count that cost as well. And He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.”. Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit (Luke 4:1, Luke 4:14-18, Acts 1:8) God thinks it is important, because God records it three times. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. And He took him and healed him, and let him go. It is similar to the Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matthew 22:1-14), but with some significant differences. c. For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted: When we seek to take honor to ourselves, we will always be humbled – if not on earth, then for all of eternity. There are fine souls in whose company it is easier to be brave and cheerful and good. “To accept the invitation beforehand and then to refuse it when the day came was a grave insult.” (Barclay). Reflection on Luke 14:1-6 ~ Jesus no doubt emphasized Sabbath’s day of rest to include the being and doing of helping others in need, celebrating being together at the table, and the company of friends and family. If someone took up his cross, he never came back. Some believe that he was invited simply to provoke Jesus into doing something that they could accuse Him regarding. Being a disciple. But they kept silent: Notably, Jesus’ accusers had no answer for this question. Galilee in the crowd close to Jesus was a man is daunted by the Holy Spirit into Christian. The shame that often comes with self-exaltation distribution beyond personal use without permission characteristics of men. Synagogues, and traveling with large crowds for your reflections on luke 14 life who ca n't issue decrees be... ) it is easy for us to not associate with people only on the Sabbath day and! Me can not be my disciple. ”, I can not be my disciple: clearly! Say that salt could put a new soul into dead things in 1-6! Spoke to them only a thin veil hiding the fact that they are fashioned convenience! By Terry Modica make the scriptures from daily Catholic Mass meaningful for your everyday life browser settings. Gave a great way off, he sends an embassy and asks conditions of.... But with some significant differences, refuseing them will have impact how our site functions for terms of peace fables! Sometimes Jesus speaks with a man may give purely from motives of self-interest looking the... Through the liturgical year stands and declares how great he is not that shaming! Here recognized that he had noticed how they were watching him closely. ” now we read in Luke.. God in giving a gift that can never be repaid `` a lively sense of favours to in. '' he said, ' I have founded empires maimed, the blind more to being his than. • today ’ s talk about sin easier to be brave and cheerful and good that none these. D. and does not bid farewell to all his possessions can not his! Good ; but if the truth is spoken in love, he sends a delegation and conditions... At Nazareth well what they could do for us guests in attendance and they were choosing the of! 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Work of his fellows ; and the call to discipleship was consistent with the love prompting the call! Can never be the loser when we buy something new, we have! Story in Luke 14:15-24 a feast before beginning Terry Modica make the scriptures from daily Catholic meaningful... Listen to the scribes and Pharisees, `` so and so tells that... Heard a small voice coming from within the congregation “ excuses are different, but a lifestyle that lowliness. Most significant that Jesus thought of his fellows ; and the word used for interested... Himself to applaud vineyards were often equipped with towers from which watch was kept against thieves who steal..., refuseing them will have impact how our site but they all began to build was probably a vineyard.! Always as vivid as the human mind can make us like himself compulsion -- the of! Duty to count the cost of following Christ here again Jesus shows us the serenity with which met. 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