In today’s world there are many options for self-help programs through masterclasses, books, podcasts, life coaches and motivational speakers that promote peace of mind and better connections with yourself and others. One example I recall enjoying was a book called “The Happiness Project” which began with the basic premise of the author, “can I be even happier than I am now?” The author set out on a year-long endeavor to discover the answer through a systematic approach to everyday things in her life to teach herself how to change habits or put something better in their place. Some months, after learning a new skill herself such as decluttering or organization, she helped a friend to do the same. She felt happier when she had less excess and even happier when she was giving away her time to a friend to teach her the same skill. In a real human way, she felt satisfied; but did this give her deep lasting peace of mind? Was this done for herself or for God? Did she rely only on her own strength to improve, or did she collaborate with God for a higher purpose than just self-satisfaction?
St. Augustine reminds us of lasting peace in his ever-famous quote: “my heart is restless, until I rest in thee.” We can search the world over, change our lives over and over and chase the next best promotion we see in our news feed to live a better life, but the reality is: we will not rest or live better until we rest in God completely. This is real happiness. This is the simple truth many of the masterclasses and self-help books and programs leave out. I cannot be truly happy until I rest in Him, in you, my Lord. But how do I get there?
What is the Secret Sauce?
Today’s readings give us a glimpse into this simple life of what God is calling us to and to find a place resting with Him ultimately in His Kingdom. The psalm promises peace but how Lord, show us.
Jesus tries to teach us in the Gospel as He sits again with the Pharisees. Unlike other encounters, today He sits with them at a meal on the Sabbath, a sacred meal often shared with family and friends. Do not miss the irony here, for, in other passages when Christ sits to a meal, it is often with declared sinners, prostitutes and tax collectors. This is a change of scenery but what does He imply about the guests and their charity?
Christ invites us in as a guest to hear what He speaks to his host and to those seated next to Him at this table. But, before we can understand fully, it is important to note what happened just prior to this passage. Before entering into the banquet, the guests and Pharisees had just witnessed our Lord cure a man from dropsy on the Sabbath just outside. You can imagine the excitement as they gather towards the house. A few steps away, they witness the encounter with Christ outside as he turns to ask this same host, “Was it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
The Pharisee host and friends remain silent although “watch him carefully;” thereafter, they proceed into the meal. As everyone begins to be seated, our Lord engages some with a parable about high and low places at a table. Will you sit at a place of high regard? Or will you be humble and move to a lower seat reserved for the less noble? Of course he elaborates in his parable, but simply put, he is cautioning the attendants not to seek a higher place than another, but to choose the lowest place, in humility and simplicity, the path He chooses for Himself. In the end, the lowest will be elevated in the Kingdom of God.
Continues the Call
He continues this call to humility, to peace, in today’s gospel, yet it comes through an awkward chastisement of sorts directed at his host. Imagine Christ with his commanding voice and charismatic manner turning to the host as the meal has just begun and speaking so all are at attention: “You should be serving the lame, the poor and the weak, who have no material goods nor notoriety with which to repay you, “ as he gestures to the elegantly robed men sitting before him. “Yet, you serve these elite and wealthy of society, your family and neighbors, who sit before me waiting to hear when the meal is done, how you would like them to repay you for this noble invitation.”
What would the reaction be? What would yours be? Our Lord is often this direct and seemingly harsh when He demands things from us and turns our path when we are headed in the wrong direction. In this passage, He indicates that for those who have ears to hear and join Him in this mission of service of the poor and needy, those in search of God and His love, that they must change their ways and give freely expecting nothing for themselves but seek Him and serve unreservedly to find real happiness and peace in Him.
Who Will Be Invited?
As we pray today, ask our Lord once again about this message of selfless love, abandonment, and humility. When we do things for others, even hospitality in our own home, do we pray ahead to be selfless in our giving? To do it for those we invite and for the love of God, expecting no praise in return? What are our intentions when we give to others in other ways through our time, our work, our parenting, our service? How do we feel when no one notices or acknowledges our hard work or love? Do we bring it as a gift to Christ and abandon it there?
As we see Christ in others, he asks us here and, in some way, gives us a call, “Please do not serve me today so that I may serve you back. It is like handcuffing the love I receive from you, and in my eyes, which is not real love or real generosity.” Real love, He shows us many times in the gospel passages, is love freely given, with no expectations of something returned. He puts on our hearts, “When you give, let my love and the good of the other be your only motivation. Forget yourself, where you sit, or what you eat, and just be my hands, my heart, my servant willing to help those most in need of my love. Do it for me. Here is the secret to lasting happiness and peace. For, blessed are my poor in spirit, for you shall see God.”
