From Whom
All Blessings Flow
Humility and Self-less Love Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or
dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or
sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you
do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But
when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the
lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they
cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the
resurrection of the righteous." (Luke 14:13-14) In the food-service industry, I would have loved interacting
with the "regulars." They seem to be a joy to talk to
because they are funny or prone to flattery, generous
with tips or even gifts. I would have worked hard to make
them feel welcome in a restaurant. Even rude customers may
have inspired good hospitality in me because I saw the
challenge of giving them a positive experience as a personal
triumph. Jesus calls us to hospitality, but not with ulterior motives.
He calls us to be generous and welcoming from a pure heart,
especially to those whom the world has rejected.
How has God welcomed you despite your own "difficult"
tendencies? How can you imitate that love with others? Dearest Lord,
You were rejected by the world and deserved it least of all.
Help me to strive for the humility and selfless love that characterized
Your ministry. Teach me to be generous and welcoming to those
who are dear to Your sacred heart even if my first instinct is to avoid them.
Change my heart into one more like Yours. In Your name, amen.
But in case we forget, Jesus gave us the cross to remind us that
the path of obedience, the path to greatness, the path of glory is found
in serving others while we serve God. |