Many people find Luke’s version of our Gospel story today the most attractive: it emphasises Jesus’ compassion, his concern for those who are on the margins of society. But the evangelist also portrays God’s saving power as overturning the accepted social order. This is clearly seen in today’s Gospel, where Jesus is dining at the house of a prominent Pharisee. Observing how guests chose places of honour, Jesus tells a parable that upends conventional thinking about status and pride.
In a culture where honour and reputation were highly valued, choosing the lowest seat was countercultural. But Jesus urges his listeners to seek humility, not recognition. “All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” This reversal is at the heart of the Kingdom of God: greatness is found in service, not in status. Those who try to lift themselves up will be brought low, while the humble will be lifted by God.
Jesus goes even further by instructing his host not to invite friends or wealthy neighbours to his banquet, but rather the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind—those who cannot repay. This radical hospitality reflects God’s own inclusive love. It challenges us to open our hearts and tables to those who are often left out or forgotten.
Luke’s Gospel reminds us that discipleship isn’t about climbing social ladders, but about embodying God’s mercy and justice. To follow Jesus is to resist the temptation of self-promotion and instead choose humility, generosity, and compassion. In doing so, we bear witness to a Kingdom where the last are first, and where every person, especially the least, is welcomed and valued. This is the vision of God’s table—where grace replaces merit, and love replaces ambition.
Fr Stephen Berecz
