Lk 14:15-24 He Invited Many

Tuesday of the Thirty-First Week in Ordinary Time
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One of those at table with Jesus said to him, "Blessed is the one who will dine in the Kingdom of God."  He replied to him, "A man gave a great dinner to which he invited many..."

He emptied himself.  Let's be honest.  The Lord has been very generous to us.  He has blessed us with gifts and talents.  He has showered us with wonderful opportunities to flourish and grow.  Many of us have been blessed by our children, our spouse, our family members and friends.  We have received so much more than we deserve. 

So what is our problem?  Why do we find it so hard to live with others?  Why do we find it so difficult to carry our Cross; that is, to pick up the phone, dial the number and apologize to someone?

St Paul would tell us it's because of our pride:  "Brothers and sisters:  Have among yourselves the same attitude that is also yours in Christ Jesus..."

"Who, though he was in form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped.  Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, coming in human likeness; and, found human in appearance, he humbled himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross."

But one by one, they all began to excuse themselves.  Are you making excuses for yourself? Are you blaming your genes for your temperament; your ethnicity for your personality; your achievements and success for your arrogance?  Don't you realize that you could have it all if you could just keep under control your pride?

Pride is an ugly thing.  It can ruin everything!  It can knock us down and keeps us from being the man/woman the Lord created us to be.  Pride takes all our talents and gifts and distorts them.  It takes all our blessings and curses them!

We have been richly blessed.  Let's not let our pride ruin things.