SCRIPTURE LUKE 14:1-6

healing of the man with dropsy on the sabbath.

On a Sabbath he went to dine at the home of one of the leading Pharisees, and the people there were observing him carefully. In front of him there was a man suffering from dropsy. Jesus spoke to the scholars of the law and Pharisees in reply, asking, “Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath or not?”

But they kept silent; so he took the man and, after he had healed him, dismissed him. Then he said to them, “Who among you, if your son or oxen falls into a cistern, would not immediately pull him out on the Sabbath day? But they were unable to answer his question.

REFLECTION

Jesus went to dine with some Pharisees on the Sabbath who were watching Him closely. So this was not a gathering of hospitality but more like an investigation or interrogation.

The Sabbath was designed by God to give man an opportunity to reflect on God’s love, mercy and bountiful blessings in worship. Remember keep Holy the Sabbath Day. The Pharisees  were continually employing the letter of man-made laws regarding the Sabbath (too many to enumerate) destroying the spirit of the law of  God. The Pharisees legalistically taught that salvation was to be obtained through observance of these rules. God made laws save us not man made laws!

There was a man there suffering from “dropsy.” Dropsy is an old term for the swelling of soft tissues due to the accumulation of excess water. Today it would most likely be referred to as edemas due to congestive heart failure.

Jesus confronts the scholars of the law. “Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath or not?” They kept silent. Jesus cures the man with dropsy anyhow.  Jesus is God after all, the Lord of the Sabbath. Jesus isn’t finished with them yet, hoping to nudge their self-righteousness, Jesus asks the scholars of the law to examine themselves.

If an oxen of yours falls into a cistern on the Sabbath, who of you would not pull that oxen out? They remained silent. This reminds me of the stoning of the woman caught in adultery.  Jesus said whoever is without sin cast the first stone. Jesus wins all these contests with the Pharisees because Truth is on His side.  Jesus is the Truth, the Way, and the Life.

Let’s get busy out there in the world, evangelizing.  We have the Truth on our side.  Don’t be timid.  Jesus wasn’t timid in face of opposition to the truth.  Jesus risked everything to bring the Gospel to us.  Won’t we do the same by our witness?

 SCRIPTURE LUKE 14:7-14

conduct of invited guests and hosts.^*

Jesus 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.”

Then he said to the host who invited him, “When you hold a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your wealthy neighbors, in case they may invite you back and you have repayment. Rather, when you hold a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind; blessed indeed will you be because of their inability to repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

REFLECTION

There are several themes in Jesus’s parable about guests at a dinner party.  First he addresses when you are a guest do not choose the place of honor less you are asked by the host to make way for someone else and be embarrassed.  Humility is the essence here, knowing our place in life and in creation.  Jesus sets us the greatest example of humility.

He emptied Himself by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross. For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name. Phillipians 2:7-9

After humbling Himself, Jesus is exalted over every other name.  We bow at the name of Jesus.  We pay homage to Jesus exalted to the right hand of the Father. Who are we that we choose to place ourselves above others? Humility is the virtue that checks the vice of Pride.  It was the pride of our first parents that got us into this mess.  They wanted to be like God. Let us live an attitude of gratitude for our life and our blessings.

Then Jesus said to the host who invited him…Reach out not just to friends who can repay your invitation but to others that can’t.  Here Jesus nails charity.  Hosting a party may not be a pure motive of generosity but conceal a hidden agenda, you want something in return.  Charity is the virtue opposite the vice of selfishness.

Charity is unbounded.  Jesus told us to love even our enemies, those that look different, act different etc.  Our charity may go unnoticed in this world and that is all right.  Don’t hang on to being thanked or hugs and kisses.  For Jesus tells us, “For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” Isn’t that really enough?  If not, why not?  Better do a gut check on what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

SCRIPTURE LUKE 14:15-24

the parable of the great feast

 One of his fellow guests on hearing this said to him, “Blessed is the one who will dine in the kingdom of God.” He replied to him, “A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many. When the time for the dinner came, he dispatched his servant to say to those invited, ‘Come, everything is now ready.’

COME TO MY BANQUET

 But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, ‘I have purchased a field and must go to examine it; I ask you, consider me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have purchased five yoke of oxen and am on my way to evaluate them; I ask you, consider me excused.

And another said, ‘I have just married a woman, and therefore I cannot come.’ The servant went and reported this to his master. Then the master of the house in a rage commanded his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame.’ The servant reported, ‘Sir, your orders have been carried out and still there is room.’

The master then ordered the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedgerows and make people come in that my home may be filled. For, I tell you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner

ALL ARE INVITED

REFLECTION

 The man giving a great dinner in this parable represents God.  God has prepared a great wedding banquet in heaven for those who love Him. All are invited.  God wills that all will be saved.

God wills everyone to be saved and to come to knowledge of the truth. For there is one God. There is also one mediator between God and the human race, Christ Jesus, himself human.  I Timothy 2:4 However, this is God’s providential will. A mitigator in this will of God is the free will He gave to man to choose or reject the invitation.  God also has a moral will that will not allow Him to force Himself on anyone!  God sends no one to hell.  We send ourselves when we reject God.  There is no other place to go if we choose separation from God.

Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you. For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.  Matthew 21:28-31

REPENT AND BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL

PROLOGUE

Today’s Scripture readings from Luke deal with something lost and found again.  They all speak of God as seeker of us who may be lost or separated.  His overwhelming love for us will never let Him be satisfied until He finds what is lost and bring it home again.

 SCRIPTURE LUKE 15:1-7

 the parable of the lost sheep.

JESUS CAME TO SEEK AND SAVE THE LOST

LUKE 19:10

The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to him, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, this man welcomes sinners and eats with them. So to them he addressed this parable.

What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? And when he does find it, he sets it on his shoulders with great joy and, upon his arrival home, he calls together his friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep. ’I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

JESUS EMBRACES WHAT WAS LOST AND NOW FOUND

 REFLECTION

We notice in this passage that sinners were drawing near to hear the words of Christ. It is the self-righteous who complain about the company Jesus keeps.  Jesus came to save sinners.  Thanks be to God, for we are all sinners.

Jesus tells them a parable that makes no practical sense. After all, what shepherd would leave all his sheep unattended while hunting for another?  He would lose them all.  But the profound lesson of parable is clear; those already in the fold have no need of salvation; it is the one that went astray.

The celebration at home with his friends is a mirror of the joy in heaven over one sinner being saved. Then Jesus pokes the Pharisees who consider themselves righteous. Listen up Pharisees I have come to save you but if you believe you have no need for salvation, then it isn’t going to end well for you.

 SCRIPTURE LUKE 15:8-10

 the parable of the lost coin.

 Or what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’ In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

REFLECTION

Again, Jesus in second parable demonstrates the joy in heaven over finding lost souls and restoring them to a share in Divine Life. That woman in picture above is searching every nook and cranny, down on her knees, praying she find what she has lost. Do we pray when we are lost that we be found?

God never ceases to seek us! Let us be found! I am reminded of a few verses of Catholic poet Francis Thompson’s poem, Hound of Heaven.

I fled Him, down the nights and down the days; I fled Him, down the arches of the years;

I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears

I hid from Him, and under running laughter. Up vistaed hopes I sped……

From those strong Feet that followed, followed after. But with unhurrying chase, And  unperturbèd pace, Deliberate speed, majestic instancy, They beat—and a Voice beat

More instant than the Feet—‘All things betray thee, that betrayest Me.’

SCRIPTURE LUKE 15:11-32

the parable of the lost son.

Then he said, “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.

 When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any.

 Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.” So he got up and went back to his father.

THE FATHER SEES THE SON A LONG WAY OFF

AND GOES TO MEET THE PRODIGAL SON

While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’

But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began.

 Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

The older son became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’

He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.

THE OLDER SON REFUSES THE FATHER’S INVITATION

 REFLECTION

There is a lot to unpack in the parable of the Prodigal Son.  First off, the younger son had no right to demand his inheritance before the death of his father, diminishing the wealth of the living Father and older son.

Often we act the same way in demanding from God what we have no right to.  We are creatures after all completely dependent on our Creator for the very air we breathe. We have no right to place demands on God. We were created to know, love, and serve God in this world and be happy with Him in the next.

 the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. The son separated himself from the Father like we sometimes do, and found himself in a mess of woe, like we sometimes do.

The son, Coming to his senses….What does this mean?  It is a foreshadowing of the Holy Spirit that Jesus promises in John 16:8, “I will send the advocate to you. And when he comes he will convict the world in regard to sin and righteousness and condemnation” The Holy Spirit informs our conscience and leads us to conversion if we let Him.

We see in this parable the act of conversion, the turning back to the Father, “I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son…The son accepts his responsibility for his acts that make him an unworthy son.  Pray to the Spirit for conversion of heart, acknowledge our guilt and pledge to sin no more.

While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him…The Father sought the prodigal son every day, saw him from afar and  rushed to embrace his son. God looks for us every day. Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation” 2 Corinthians 6:2 There is no better time to go home to the Father.

Let the celebration begin, let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ This celebration is not only on the Father’s estate but in heaven as well. ’ In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:7 

Now let’s focus on the older son who was out in the field working, doing all he should be doing to support his father and the estate.  Doesn’t he have a point of being ticked off.?  Yes, he does, probably a whole history of what he perceived as favoritism by the father towards the younger son.

Resentment is a terrible sin.  It keeps us angry, torn up inside, separates us from the one we are making judgment on, and mostly harmful to ourselves.  Often times, we resent perceived grievances when no one intentionally meant to harm us. Let us clean and purge resentments from our hearts. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Matthew 6:14. What do we have to lose, only those bad disturbing feelings we harbor?

The Father in the parable said to the older son, “My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.”

If we are a faithful practicing Catholic do we resent those we deem less worthy? Stop it!  God will do the judging.  The wheat from the chaff will be separated at harvest time. While the older son was doing his Father’s will daily around the estate, he could not find in his heart his Father’s forgiveness of the son who was lost but now is found. We must rejoice even in death bed conversions

I am reminded of the parable of the workers Matthew 20:1-16, “….When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first. The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius.  So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 

When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’ But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

Which of the three characters do you identify with, father, older son, or prodigal son or perhaps all three at different times of your life?

 

SCRIPTURE LUKE 16:19-31

 the parable of the rich man and lazarus

There was a rich man who dressed in purple garments and fine linen and dined sumptuously each day. And lying at his door was a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who would gladly have eaten his fill of the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even used to come and lick his sores.

When the poor man died, he was carried away by angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried and from the netherworld, where he was in torment, he raised his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me. Send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am suffering torment in these flames.’

Abraham replied, ‘My child, remember that you received what was good during your lifetime while Lazarus likewise received what was bad; but now he is comforted here, whereas you are tormented. Moreover, between us and you a great chasm is established to prevent anyone from crossing who might wish to go from our side to yours or from your side to ours.

He said, ‘Then I beg you, father, send him to my father’s house, for I have five brothers, so that he may warn them, lest they too come to this place of torment.’ But Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them. He said, ‘Oh no, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ Then Abraham said, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead.

REFLECTION

Dives, the rich man, has all the material goods, rich food, elegant clothes, luxury home, all the material goods wealth can provide.  Meanwhile, Lazarus, a poor beggar, has nothing but sores on his body and dogs who come and lick his sores for company.  Lazarus is right there every day at his begging post. He can’t be missed by the rich man.  Don’t you think he would reach out to Lazarus?  How are we when we encounter one in need?

rich man and poor man died one into bosom of Abraham one into torment….There is life here on earth and life hereafter in the world to come.  Part of our Creed is I believe in Life Everlasting. I know there are those that deny the resurrection.  Their message is still as old as Eat, Drink, and be Merry for tomorrow you shall die.  Epicurean is a Greek philosophy founded around 300 BC.  Seek pleasure and avoid pain at all costs.

Jesus Crucified could not mean very much to them.  Jesus is our Savior and if we persevere in imitating Jesus we will join Him in His glorious resurrection. The bosom of Abraham or torment awaits us. Which will it be?

There is a great chasm between heaven and hell so the rich man begs Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his family so they won’t end up in this place of torment. That is a nice sentiment but it is too late.  All the warnings are already there in Moses and the prophets. But the rich man begs but if someone goes from the dead they will repent. Repentance is a good thing but we have a lifetime to repent that door closes at earthly death.

A nice irony to conclude the parable is when Abraham tells the rich man neither will they be persuaded if someone should rise from the dead. Of course he speaks of Jesus our risen Lord. How true is that even to this day! Even with the salvation story clearly laid out from Old to New Testament people choose to ignore at their own peril.

SCRIPTURE LUKE 17:1-4

temptations, sinning, forgiving

He said to his disciples, “Things that cause sin will inevitably occur, but woe to the person through whom they occur.t would be better for him if a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin. Be on your guard!^* 

 If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he wrongs you seven times in one day and returns to you seven times saying, ‘I am sorry,’ you should forgive him.

“Temptation” by St. Louis Artist Larry Kozuszek 2017

Jigger tempts Billy Bigelow into robbery (Musical Carousel)

 REFLECTION

In the Lord’s Prayer that Jesus taught us, there is a petition, lead us not into temptation. I always paused and grappled with it because something just didn’t seem right.  God never tempts us.  God allows temptation as a way to grow in grace and self-discovery…to teach us to know ourselves…to discover our evil inclinations and to give thanks for the graces that helped us avoid the sin that temptation has revealed to us.

Temptations are not sins but temptations can and often do lead to sin.  I am asking God to keep me from temptations that I am particularly vulnerable and may likely result in my actually sinning. .

Jesus tells his disciples there are things in this world that can lead to sin but woe to one that causes another to sin. better a millstone were put around his neck and he be thrown into the sea than for him to cause one of these little ones to sin, Parents be particularly cautious to give good examples and most especially never, never, cause one of your little ones to sin.

Jesus also teaches that we have a duty to correct our brethren who is leading others into sin or teaching false doctrine rather than nod our head indicating whatever. Also, when someone sins against you, you must forgive.  The Lord’s Prayer again, forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.

 SCRIPTURE LUKE 17:7-10

attitude of a servant.of the lord

Who among you would say to your servant who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, ‘Come here immediately and take your place at table’? Would he not rather say to him, Prepare something for me to eat. Put on your apron and wait on me while I eat and drink. You may eat and drink when I am finished’?

Is he grateful to that servant because he did what was commanded? So should it be with you. When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.

 REFLECTION

This Scripture at first read, for modern folks like us is kind of tough.  We have been through slavery in our past and still remnants of racial/class discrimination. So we must go back to Jesus’ time and understand there were set societal rules of a household.  Those who owned property and those who worked for them.

A servant or laborer was not necessarily mistreated but had a subordinate place.  The servant’s role was well defined.  So as the master of the house would say fix my dinner and when I am finished you sit down and eat even if he had been laboring in the field.  The servant is provided lodging and wages and security for his family.

 While most of us do not have servants today, Jesus’ final message rings true for us as well, So When you have done all you have been commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants; we have done what we were obliged to do.

We too are unprofitable servants.  All that we have, all that we possess has been given by God as gift.

What thanks, praise, do we return to such a great God! God needs us for nothing.  We need God for everything!

 SCRIPTURE LUKE 17:11-19

the cleansing of ten lepers.^*

As he continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee. As he was entering a village, ten lepers met [him]. They stood at a distance from him and raised their voice, saying, “Jesus, Master! Have pity on us! And when he saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.”^* 

 As they were going they were cleansed. And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. He was a Samaritan. Jesus said in reply, “Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine? Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God? Then he said to him, “Stand up and go; your faith has saved you.

 REFLECTION

The lepers cried out, Jesus, Master! Have pity on us! And when Jesus saw them, he said, “Go show yourselves to the priests. Leprosy was not only an awful and painful disease, it separated lepers from their families and their worship in the temple,

Jesus could have done and said anything as we have seen with other miraculous cures. In this case instead of saying your faith has saved you, he chose to test their faith by asking them to go and show themselves to the priest and be received back into communion with God in worship.

One of them, on his way, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. Why just one?  Well, isn’t it true today as well that we go about our agenda with hardly reflecting on God’s providence-God’s intervention in our lives?  Let’s give thanks daily to the God who is all good and loves us even to death on the cross.  God cares for us.  Do we care for God!

There is also irony in this Scripture reading.  The one returning leper is a Samaritan, a foreigner, not one of the chosen people.  Jesus tells the Samaritan, Stand up and go; your faith has saved you. Here Jesus makes clear to us we can’t presume salvation just because we are Catholic or Christians, for that matter.   As James puts it in his epistle, Faith without works is dead!  Actions express our faith as the returning Samaritan demonstrates.  Let us not only be hearers of the word but doers as well!

 

 

 

SCRIPTURE 18:1-8

 the parable of the persistent widow.

 Then he told them a parable about the necessity for them to pray always without becoming weary.  He said,

There was a judge in a certain town who neither feared God nor respected any human being. And a widow in that town used to come to him and say, ‘Render a just decision for me against my adversary. For a long time the judge was unwilling, but eventually he thought, ‘While it is true that I neither fear God nor respect any human being, because this widow keeps bothering me I shall deliver a just decision for her lest she finally come and strike me.

The Lord said, “Pay attention to what the dishonest judge says Will not God then secure the rights of his chosen ones who call out to him day and night? Will he be slow to answer them? I tell you, he will see to it that justice is done for them speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

 REFLECTION

 We may not always get what we ask for in prayer but God hears every prayer.  God knows you are dependent on Him to provide for your needs. You trust in Him to give you what you need.  If you pray for yourself, God will provide.  If you pray for others, God will provide.  The key message here in this parable is don’t give up.  God loves to hear from you. God is relational you know three persons in one God. You are His child and He loves when we acknowledge Him as Father.

God our Father is kind and merciful nothing like the judge in this parable who neither feared God nor respected any human being. Jesus closes with a question when Son of Man comes will he find faith on earth? Will we be found faithful?   PRAY ALWAYS! Pray, Pray, Pray!

 SCRIPTURE 18:9-14

the parable of the pharisee and the tax collector.

He then addressed this parable to those who are convinced of their own righteousness and despised everyone else. “Two people went up to the temple area to pray; one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.

 The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity—greedy, dishonest, adulterous—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.

But the tax collector stood off at a distance and would not even raise his eyes to heaven but beat his breast and prayed, ‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’ I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

REFLECTION

Jesus addresses this parable to those who make judgments on others.  How are we in the judgment department?  Do we shun some people?  Do we write people off?  We know what God has to say about that, Judge not less you be judged, the measure you measure to others will be measured to you.

Are we like that Pharisee boasting of our goodness?  No one is good but God alone.  Luke 18:18   Any good we do is by the grace of God. There we go but for the grace of God.  Let us remember like the publican to prostrate ourselves before the Divine Mercy and say with the publican, O God, be merciful to me a sinner. In the Sacrament of Reconciliation we confess our sins, receive absolution and grace to sin no more. Everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.

SCRIPTURE 18:18-30

the rich official.

An official asked him this question, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?  Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.  You know the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery; you shall not kill; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother.’  And he replied, “All of these I have observed from my youth.

When Jesus heard this he said to him, “There is still one thing left for you: sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when he heard this he became quite sad, for he was very rich.

Jesus looked at him [now sad] and said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” Those who heard this said, “Then who can be saved?

And he said, “What is impossible for human beings is possible for God.” Then Peter said, “We have given up our possessions and followed you.” He said to them, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God who will not receive [back] an overabundant return in this present age and eternal life in the age to come.”

 REFLECTION

A rich man came sincerely to Jesus to ask Him what he must do to be saved.  The rich man asserts that he has kept the Law since his youth.  Expecting to be rewarded, he is surprised at Jesus’ response, “There is still one thing left for you: sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have a treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Saddened, the rich official walked away for he was very rich.

Jesus wants more from us than just following the Law.  He wants us in relationship with Him. Jesus became human that we might share in his divinity. Not by nature, but by adoption at our Baptism we become sons and daughters of God.  How do we live that to the fullest on earth?  By discarding our stuff and making Jesus number one. Jesus is the prize!  Where your treasure is your hearts will be.

We say we all want to get to heaven to share in God’s divine life, why not start now?  You don’t want to be a stranger at those pearly gates and hear, I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’” Luke 13:23-27

SCRIPTURE 18:35-43

the healing of the blind beggar.

Now as he approached Jericho a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging, and hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what was happening. They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” He shouted, “Jesus, Son of David,^* have pity on me!” The people walking in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent, but he kept calling out all the more, “Son of David, have pity on me!”

Then Jesus stopped and ordered that he be brought to him; and when he came near, Jesus asked him, What do you want me to do for you?” He replied, “Lord, please let me see.”  Jesus told him, “Have sight; your faith has saved you.” He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.

 

REFLECTION

A blind beggar sitting along the road heard a big commotion, crowds and shouting like some celebrity was passing by and he inquired what is going on since he couldn’t see.  Maybe, he thought he could make his day’s wages from such a crowd but then he heard, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

This is reminiscent of Old Testament scripture.  Moses asked to see the glory of God. Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in faithfulness and truth. Exodus 34:6. 

People accompanying Jesus tried to silence the beggar.  They should have known better.  They were beggars also.  We should never try to push someone aside in our own self-interest even when what we are seeking is something good.  Be generous. Spread the Good News.  Don’t keep it to ourselves.

 The blind beggar cried out the louder, “Jesus, Son of David,^* have pity on me!” This stopped Jesus in his tracks.  Faith will always get Jesus’ attention.  Jesus asks that the beggar be brought to him and asks the beggar what he can do for him.  Jesus already knows but wants the beggar to assert it just like Jesus wants to hear from us what we need. Be specific or ask Jesus to give you what you need if you can’t make up your mind.

The beggar replies, “Lord that I might see.” He immediately received his sight and followed him, giving glory to God. When they saw this, all the people gave praise to God.

The beggar did not go home to brag about seeing.  He followed Jesus on the way and bore witness to others the Glory of God. Are we that kind of witness?

SCRIPTURE 19:1-10

zacchaeus the tax collector

He came to Jericho and intended to pass through the town. Now a man there named Zacchaeus, who was a chief tax collector and also a wealthy man, was seeking to see who Jesus was; but he could not see him because of the crowd, for he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to see Jesus, who was about to pass that way.

When he reached the place, Jesus looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house. And he came down quickly and received him with joy. When they all saw this, they began to grumble, saying, “He has gone to stay at the house of a sinner.

 But Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I shall give to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.” 

And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation^c has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

 REFLECTION

As Jesus is making his way to Jerusalem to complete His mission from the Father, he passes through Jericho but something gets his attention…one more chance at conversion.  He spies a small man in a tree who has a heart of a believer. “Today salvation has come to this house because this man too is a descendant of Abraham. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.”

Jesus affirms He has come for the salvation of everyone.  Do we see others with the eyes of Jesus that all are children of God whether they appear lost or not? Do we pray daily for the conversion of sinners?

 SCRIPTURE 19:36-40

the the ride to jerusalem

 …As he rode along, the people were spreading their cloaks on the road; and now as he was approaching the slope of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of his disciples began to praise God aloud with joy for all the mighty deeds they had seen. They proclaimed, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord Peace in heaven and glory in the highest”. Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” He said in reply, “I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!”

REFLECTION

As Jesus approaches the Mount of Olives outside Jerusalem people begin to gather in praise, welcoming him with palm branches and throwing down their cloaks before Him.  “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” But the Pharisees and other religious leaders rebuke Jesus for fear of the Romans and also the loss of their authority. Jesus answers them, “I tell you, if they keep silent, the stones will cry out!” Do we cry out in praise of Jesus our Savior and Lord despite the consequences?

SCRIPTURE 19:41-44

the lament for jerusalem.^*

As he drew near, he saw the city and wept over it saying, “If this day you only knew what makes for peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.  For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will raise a palisade against you; they will encircle you and hem you in on all sides. They will smash you to the ground and your children within you, and they will not leave one stone upon another within you because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

 REFLECTION

 On the Mount of Olives Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, for He knows what is coming…Because Jerusalem did not recognize the time of their visitation, they will be crushed, smashed to pieces, separated from their One true God and their light to the nations extinguished  “I will also make you a light to the nations—. so that all the world may be saved.”. Isaiah 49:6

We are so fickle when it comes to Jesus.  One day it is yes to Jesus and another day is please leave me to my own devices.  Let’s not miss our time of “visitation.”  Our “visitation” is each and every day, We embrace Jesus or reject Jesus for something else. Which will it be?  We know the consequences of rejection, disaster, separation from God, and failure to witness to the Gospel.

 SCRIPTURE 20:9-26

 the parable of the tenant farmers.^*

Then he proceeded to tell the people this parable. “[A] man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and then went on a journey for a long time. At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenant farmers to receive some of the produce of the vineyard. But they beat the servant and sent him away empty-handed. So he proceeded to send another servant, but him also they beat and insulted and sent away empty-handed.

 Then he proceeded to send a third, but this one too they wounded and threw out. The owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I shall send my beloved son; maybe they will respect him. But when the tenant farmers saw him they said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him that the inheritance may become ours. So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.  What will the owner of the vineyard do to them?

He will come and put those tenant farmers to death and turn over the vineyard to others.” When the people heard this, they exclaimed, “Let it not be so! But he looked at them and asked, “What then does this scripture passage mean: The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone’ Everyone who falls on that stone will be dashed to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls. The scribes and chief priests sought to lay their hands on him at that very hour, but they feared the people, for they knew that he had addressed this parable to them.

 REFLECTION

 After the cleansing or the Temple area of idol worship, His enemies continue to plot against Him. Jesus preaches this parable of the tenants. The tenants in this parable are really all of us who are stewards of the kingdom, not the King.

In this parable Jesus gives a little history lesson to the religious leaders of the time about the prophets God sent before Him to preach conversion and repentance.  We know their earthly lives did not end well.

Now God has sent His only Son.  Well, the tenants didn’t like the prophets before Jesus, certainly if they kill God’s son that would send God a message, don’t mess with us anymore.

Jesus warns them to pay close attention and quotes Scripture to back it up, “The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. Everyone who falls on that stone will be dashed to pieces; and it will crush anyone on whom it falls. Psalm 118:22

 Jesus is our cornerstone to build our lives on.  To reject Jesus is to have the building of our lives fall upon us, crushing us in despair and disaster. “A wise man builds his house on rock not sand.” Matthew 7:24

 

END TIMES FORETOLD

SCRIPTURE LUKE 21:5-11

the destruction of the temple foretold.

While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, Jesus said, all that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down….

“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand. Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Let those within the city escape from it, and let those in the countryside not enter the city, for these days are the time of punishment when all the scriptures are fulfilled.” (LK 21:20)

…Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’^* Do not follow them! When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.

 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.

REFLECTION

Jesus may be speaking of end times for Jerusalem or end times at the end of the world or both.  It doesn’t matter. As long as we are right with God.

We will be lifted up into the glory of the Resurrection on the last day as long as we persevere in what Micah the prophet  in God’s name foretold, “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8

 SCRIPTURE LUKE 21:12-19

 the coming persecution.

“Before all this happens,^* however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name. It will lead to your giving testimony.

 You are not to prepare your defense beforehand, for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute.  You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name, but not a hair on your head will be destroyed. By your perseverance you will secure your lives.

REFLECTION

Before all the natural disasters come, Jesus warns His disciples they will be persecuted for following His Way, Truth, and Life. Can we expect anything less in this secular world of ours today that deems us the enemy to their sinful ways and their moral relativism that justifies sin in light of God’s holy commandments?

God’s ways and the world ways are in supernatural conflict.  The devil with his minions roam about this world to see whom they can devour.  All that stand in their way is Christ Crucified! It is no wonder that Satan invaded and infected Shepherds of the Church, what better way to mislead, misinform, and scandalize the flock. Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves! Matthew 7:15

Jesus tells His disciples though, “not a hair on your head will be destroyed, by your perseverance you will secure your lives.”  Once again, our salvation rests in our perseverance. Let us be imitators of St. Paul,, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”  2 Timothy 4:7

 SCRIPTURE LUKE 21:25-28

the coming of the son of man.

“There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves. People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens^* will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your  redemption is at hand.”

REFLECTION

All the powers of heaven will be shaken, with the coming of the New Creation, the New Jerusalem.  Lift  up our heads high and give glory to the majesty of God and the glorious redemption of His Son Jesus, Savior and Lord, who comes to judge the living and the dead. Have mercy on us Lord for we are sinners and undeserving of such Love and Mercy. Save us Savior of the World!

THIS COMPLETES MY GOSPEL OF LUKE BLOG. CHAPTERS 22, 23, AND 24 OF LUKE’S GOSPEL ARE COVERED UNDER THE CATEGORY HOLY WEEK IN THE ARCHIVES ON THIS BLOG SITE TCB