Luke 14:1, 7-11

Lectio (Reading)

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine
at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,
and the people there were observing him carefully. He told a parable to those who had been invited,
noticing how they were choosing the places of honor at the table.
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet,
do not recline at table in the place of honor.
A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him,
and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say,
‘Give your place to this man,’
and then you would proceed with embarrassment
to take the lowest place.
Rather, when you are invited,
go and take the lowest place
so that when the host comes to you he may say,
‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’
Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.
For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled,
but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Meditatio (Reflecting)

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

Oratio (Responding)

Yesterday we discussed God’s financial calculus (doing what is right despite what the law says about it). Today we confront gods social calculus (the great will be humbled, and the humble will be exalted).

To better explain, I believe that we need to touch briefly, on the fall of Satan. When the God created the universe he started with the angels (and Satan was first among His angels). Next, He created the universe of planets and stars, and then the animals, and finally man. In Satan’s mind those things that were created first were greater (in every way), than those things created last. So he thought, that after god Himself, that he Satan was the most powerful being in the universe, and indeed he was. But What he did not understand was that God made everything in the heaven and earth for the love and service of mankind.

So when God showed satan and all of the angels his plan to save and redeem mankind…, that He would humble Himself in the incarnation, and become a man Jesus. And by in so doing, create a way for mankind to reconciled with God, through the death and resurrection of Jesus. It was at that point that satan and a third of the angels fell from grace, rejecting god, saying… “I will not serve”.

So for God, His plan is to have the powerful and strong, to humbly put themselves last, and lift up the lowly. And for those that are lowly to have the patience and hope to trust in the promise of god, so that they can be exalted in heaven.

But why then, does this world not follow this order? The answer is Satan. He is the lord of this world, and his calculus is only that of power and strength, and he only understands subjugation and slavery. His only goal is to put all of us under his feet, and into his slavery.

But the calculus of the strong and the powerful, ultimately does not work! The powerful are always exploiting the weak, and fighting with the other strongmen of the world, and he who is strong today, will be overpowered tomorrow. In the end, only pain and suffering is spread to all .

But in the calculus of God, the humble and the meek lift up everyone, and everyone is better for it. That is the point of god’s plan and His Justice. That is what we all need to strive for. Because if you make it to heaven, nothing short of this standard will be excepted there. But don’t get me wrong, I do not believe that there will be “humility police” in heaven, but instead, the glory of god in the beatific vision will be so powerful that you will not be able to do anything less than give your very best, to love your very best, and to serve others, in the very best way. Let us strive for that even now, and prepare our hearts for the eternity of heaven.

Contemplatio (Contemplating)

Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.

Resolutio (Resolving)