Homily for the Memorial of St. Charles Borromeo

In today's Gospel, a wealthy Pharisee invites Jesus to dinner, which is unusual because Pharisees typically only dined with those who shared their views. During the meal, Jesus suggests that His host should often invite people he wouldn't ordinarily welcome—those who are outsiders and those experiencing illness, hunger, and poverty.

Unlike the Pharisees, who limited their social circles, Jesus regularly shared meals with a diverse array of people, including the rich and poor, the educated and uneducated, the devout and the outsiders, and men and women. His choice of dining companions reflects His inclusive nature—no one was excluded from His presence or from His mission of preaching the kingdom of God. Jesus aimed to reveal God's generous welcome for everyone, especially those who were marginalized.

Through His authentic lifestyle and the company He kept, Jesus demonstrated the wide hospitality of His Father. In contrast, the Pharisees viewed God as exclusive rather than inclusive. 

While we are also called to practice hospitality, it can be tempting to limit ourselves to a small group of friends who share our attitudes and are able to reciprocate our kindness. However, God calls us to expand our circle and our compassion, to reflect the love of His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.