In today's Gospel, a wealthy Pharisee invited Jesus to dinner. This was unusual because Pharisees usually ate only with like-minded friends. While there, Jesus suggests that his host should regularly invite to dinner people whom he would not usually invite, people who were outsiders, and those experiencing illness, hunger, and poverty.
In contrast to the Pharisees, Jesus regularly dined with various people, rich and poor alike, with the educated and uneducated, with the devout and outsiders, with men and with women.
The wide range of his dining companions was characteristic of his personality. No one was excluded from his presence. No one was excluded from His mission to preach the kingdom of God and His call for conversion to the ways of His Father. His purpose was to reveal God's generous welcome for everyone, particularly those who were considered outsiders.
By his authentic lifestyle, and notably by the company he kept, he echoed the wide hospitality of His Father. In contrast, the Pharisees envisioned a God who was exclusive rather than inclusive.
While we are called to that same hospitality, it is tempting to associate with only a small group of friends who share our attitudes and can return the favor. God calls us to broaden our circle and our compassion to be more like His Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Homily for Monday of the 29th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the 29th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Homily for Saturday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the Feast of St. Luke, Evangelist
Homily for the Memorial of St. Ignatius of Antioch
Homily for Monday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Homily for Saturday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Friday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Thursday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the Memorial of St. John XXIII
Homily for Tuesday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Monday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Homily for the Memorial of Our Lady of the Rosary
Homily for Friday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Thursday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi
Homily for Tuesday of the 23rd Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for the Memorial of the Guardian Angels
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