Thoughts for the Day

On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely.....

When he noticed how the guests chose the place of honour, he told them a parable. 'When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honour, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host, and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, "Give this person your place," and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, "Friend, move up higher"; then you will be honoured in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.'

(Church in Wales Lectionary, from New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Most of us do not experience being removed from a place of honour - at most banquets or weddings there will usually be place names to show where, say, the bride or groom should sit. However, we can understand the point that Jesus is making.

But we may have seen the way that people rush to be first to buy something at say, the New Year Sales, whether someone gets hurt or not. The "I want" and "I need" generation that is often ours, can be so concerned with their own desires that they forget others.

But here's another thought, sometimes we act meek and humble, so that others might notice our humility. Outwardly this looks good but it's a form of spiritual pride and is dangerous. We can even convince ourselves it's what God wants, but if we're honest we know it's our own warped judgement. Remember, Jesus taught us that 'the meek shall inherit the earth.

Saturday 31st October, follow up thoughts

Lord God,
enable us to be honest with ourselves,
when we think that we deserve something
at the expense of others.
Help us to see that there is no place
for exaggerated pride or mock humility.
Amen.