The Nazareth Page - A gospel meditation for your home

August 31, 2025 – Twenty-second Sunday in Ordinary Time, Luke 14:18-24

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
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What is your place in the world? I am not asking about your geographical location, but what is sometimes called “social standing.” Do you consider yourself upper class or outstanding in some respects? Better than others? Distinguished in some way?

Certainly, many social groups have ways of honoring their more important or esteemed members. Even an institution as seemingly in favor of equality as PBS has ways of showing special attention for their wealthy donors by specifically naming them at the beginning of programming. At important religious gatherings in the Catholic Church who usually is seated in the sanctuary or in the front pews? Ordinary laity, like most of us?

In today’s gospel Jesus describes how special guests at wedding feasts are placed close to the bride and groom as expressive of their importance. But Jesus warns against assuming such placement on your own. Wait to be seated to avoid being asked to take a more distant position by the hosts. Good advice. This prevents embarrassment.

So where do we stand in what I assume is a most important matter relating to personal importance and value to God? Does God have favorites? Are some judged better than others? I actually recall as I write this being told as a Catholic kid to do good so that when I get to heaven, I will be given a seat there close to God. This suggests to me that seating arrangements have a long history.

Recall one of the most caustic criticisms of Jesus was that he ate with tax collectors and sinners. Obviously, Jesus did not follow the social expectations of some religious authorities of his day.

I once saw a bumper sticker that said that God does not make junk. This meant, I assume, that all that God creates is good, especially all of us. In other words, neither our social position, nor our achievements, no matter our worth in worldly terms, make any of us any better than others in God’s eyes.

In matters of God’s being, or what we might label as God’s identity, we know very little. But in one matter, I believe we are on solid ground when we hold that we are all created and loved by God. As St. Augustine taught, God is closer to all of us than we are to ourselves. This spiritual truth is well worth our consideration. And of more importance than who might be thought of as God’s favorites. In fact, We all are.

David M. Thomas, PhD