Jesus calls us to a different standard.

To those whose need is greatest.

Our kindness and generosity may not be reciprocated,

Selflessly not in hope of any reward.

 

St. Charles Borromeo, bishop

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Philippians 2:1-4

If I may advise you,

In the name of Christ, and if you can hear it, as the voice of love; if we share the same Spirit, and are capable of mercy and compassion, then I beg of you, make me very happy: have one love, one spirit, one feeling, do nothing through rivalry or vain conceit. On the contrary, let each of you gently consider the others, as more important than yourselves. Do not seek your own interest, but, rather, that of others.

 

Ps 131:1bcde, 2, 3 In you, O Lord, I have found my peace.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

Luke 14:12-14

Jesus also addressed the man who had invited him, and said, "When you give a lunch or a dinner, don't invite your friends, or your brothers and relatives, or your wealthy neighbors. For surely they will also invite you in return, and you will be repaid. When you give a feast, invite instead the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind. Fortunate are you then, because they cannot repay you. You will be repaid at the resurrection of the upright."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"Transactional relationship"

Reading today's Gospel at the surface, we might be wondering why Jesus would be telling the things he told to the man who invited him. Was he ungrateful to the one who invited him or was he just plain kill-joy? Of course not! The message of today's Gospel poses a challenge of surpassing a shallow relationship – a relationship that is merely transactional.

 

Jesus invites us to grow in terms of interpersonal relationships – a relationship that respects and values the other as a person and not as a mere commodity or product with which one may gain something for personal profit. Jesus is challenging us to do good for other people without expecting anything in return.

 

When we give something to other people we give not because we are compelled but by our very nature because giving is part and parcel of our true nature As we continue with our faith journey, we may aspire more and more for relationships that are 

interpersonal rather than transactional.