Message of Abbot Paul - Saturday 29th October 2022

​It’s that time of year again, when we have to remember to turn back the clocks before going to bed, but things have got more complicated now that we have so many digital or apparently digital gadgets to deal with. Can you remember which ones change time automatically and which don’t? I certainly can’t, so always end up not really knowing, on the first day, what time it is.

 

​Our Gospel passage today, (Lk 14: 1, 7-11), recounts what happened when Jesus was invited for a meal at the house of one of the leading Pharisees. It was a sabbath day and they were watching him closely, but then he, too, was watching them closely. As they are waiting for the food to be served, Jesus entertains his fellow guests by telling them a parable. “He told the guests a parable, because he had noticed how they picked the places of honour. He said this, ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour. A more distinguished person than you may have been invited, and the person who invited you both may come and say, “Give up your place to this man.” And then, to your embarrassment, you would have to go and take the lowest place. No; when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that, when your host comes, he may say, “My friend, move up higher.” In that way, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’” Jesus, who himself was God and yet took on our human nature and became man, could speak with experience of humility to his hearers, and especially to the Pharisees who frequented the house of one of their leaders. He could speak of the humility of God. All he asks of them is to be modest in their behaviour and not to seek the highest places, the places of privilege, authority and power. At the very least, they should wait patiently to see if they are invited to move higher. Jesus concludes with what has become a proverb among Christians and non-Christians alike. “The man who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.” If this is how he wants them to behave amongst themselves, then how should we behave before God?