CHRISTOLOGY (MWF 10:00-11:00 am)

JURIE MAE P. BALANDACA Date: May 29, 2020

BSA-I

Luke 14: 7-11

7. So He told a parable to those who were invited, when He noted how they
chose the best places, saying to them:8 "When you are invited by anyone to a
wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place, lest one more honorable than
you be invited by him;9 "and he who invited you and him come and say to you,
'Give place to this man,' and then you begin with shame to take the lowest
place.10 "But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that
when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then
you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.11 "For
whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be
exalted."

MY REFLECTION

In today’s world, every day individuals view for fame, fortune, power and
status. The people who have achieved any of these “gifts” typically are held in
high esteem. However, Jesus completely reverses this idea. He proposes that it
always is best to choose a lower place rather than a higher place. Thus, you will
never be embarrassed by being asked to move to a lower place. And possibly
you may be invited to move up to a higher place. Status-seeking is rampant in
our world. Many people seek fame, power and recognition. However, there also
are many individuals who live their lives quietly and simply. They are content with
God, family, friends and a simple lifestyle. Fame may look glamorous. However,
almost every day in the newspaper or on television we hear stories of how the
famous and the glamorous have fallen or been defamed, often by their own
choices.

As applied to leadership, this means that if you try to take credit for
everything, people will want to stop following you, or get distracted from their
work by trying to make you look bad. But if you give credit to others, people will
want to follow you and that will lead to true recognition.Jesus’ teaching is a piece
of critical advice to people whose behavior shows clearly their need of it. It tells
us that there is a correlation between how we might behave in promoting
ourselves before others and in promoting ourselves before God. The prudent
approach that might save us from humiliating shame in a social situation applies
also to our claim upon the kingdom of God. God honors only the person who
comes to Him in humility, a fundamental attribute of faith.
 Today Jesus encourages us to be content with what seemingly is “lowly and
least.” Often it is in the small and seemingly insignificant gifts of everyday life
where we may experience the greatest love, joy, peace and contentment. Today
be mindful and notice the many small gifts you receive. Thank the giver and
thank God!