Gospel Thought for Today
1st November: Monday of the Thirty-First in Week Ordinary Time
Gospel: Luke 14:12-14
Jesus said to his host, one of the leading Pharisees, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers, relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Reflection:
“When you give a lunch or a dinner…”
God has been so good to us that the only natural response is to be good to others. However, there is a temptation to expect something in return. It could be recognition, praise, or repayment like being invited to someone’s party, as Jesus mentioned in today’s Gospel. In His ministry, Jesus reached out to those who cannot repay Him – the sick, the nobodies, the sinners. He ministered without expecting anything in return. In spite of His goodness, He was rejected and crucified. Hanging on the cross, He asked His Father to forgive the ungrateful crowd. Our Merciful King is challenging us go beyond our comfort zone.
- To whom do you share your blessings with?
- What difference would it make if you help someone you do not like?
- Do you consider yourself fortunate? Why or why not?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Transform our hearts that we may to do good to those who cannot repay us, without counting the cost, and without expecting anything in return. Amen.
