GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Luke 14:1, 7-11

On a sabbath Jesus went to dine

at the home of one of the leading Pharisees,

and the people there were observing him carefully.

He told a parable to those who had been invited,

noticing how they were choosing the places of honour at the table.

“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet,

do not recline at table in the place of honour.

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.”

The Word of the Lord

An Offering of Love

Jesus, today You invite us to choose the lowest place. And in our marriage, that place is not for the one who is worth less, but for the one who chooses to become a gift for the other. How important it is to remain attentive! Seeking the first place does not always mean wanting to be in charge or imposing our own will. Sometimes it reveals itself in expecting the other person to recognise our efforts, in wanting to be right in an argument, or in asking for more attention, more understanding or more gratitude.

And, without even realising it, we begin to focus too much on ourselves. We see only what we lack, our sense of self grows, and we end up judging: “I do more… I suffer more… I am right…”

Today, Jesus, You propose a true revolution of the heart: to choose the lowest place willingly. Because when we accept that place, we begin to make ourselves small so that You may grow within us, and so that we may look upon our spouse with mercy and ask:

“My love, how can I help you? What do you need from me? What can I do to make you happy today?”

When we stop seeking recognition, we can discover a deeper communion, even if it does not happen straight away or if we do not receive the response we had hoped for.

Thank You, Lord, because through the sacrament of our marriage, we are called to live as a continual offering: each for the other, and both for You. My spouse becomes the very place where You call me to give my life.

May every moment of listening, every act of forgiveness and every hidden act of service, united with You, become an offering to the Father through Mary.

And so, as we stop placing ourselves at the centre, our marriage becomes an altar, our self-giving becomes an offering, and our life together becomes a path to holiness.

 

Applied to married life

Isabel: Nigel, after our argument yesterday, I found myself waiting for you to come to me. I kept thinking, “This time, it’s his turn to say sorry.” But I missed you… I wanted us to be close again, and yet I couldn’t bring myself to take that first step either. I just kept going over everything that had hurt me…

Nigel: I was exactly the same, Isabel. Going over all my reasons in my head, as if proving I was right was somehow going to make things better… And I didn’t stop to think about how you had felt. I’m sorry. I left it up to you to bring us back together, when I could have taken that step too.

Isabel: I’m sorry too. Today, listening to Jesus, I thought, “This is exactly what happens to us.” I realised that choosing the lowest place begins with me coming to you, even when I still find it difficult, without waiting for you to come to me first.

Nigel: Yes, Isabel… In the end, being right doesn’t mean much if it leaves us like this. I want to come closer to you too. Shall we ask the Lord to help us? I don’t want to sit back and wait for you to take the first step. Come, let’s pray together.

 

Mother,

receive our self-offering into your hands and present it to the Father, united with the offering of your Son. Blessed and praised are You for ever, Lord.