Monday, May 4, 2015

Today’s Reading  |  Luke 14:1–11
On one occasion when Jesus was going to the house of a leader of the Pharisees to eat a meal on the sabbath, they were watching him closely. Just then, in front of him, there was a man who had dropsy. And Jesus asked the lawyers and Pharisees, “Is it lawful to cure people on the sabbath, or not?” But they were silent. So Jesus took him and healed him, and sent him away. Then he said to them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that has fallen into a well, will you not immediately pull it out on a sabbath day?” And they could not reply to this.

When he noticed how the guests chose the places of honor, he told them a parable. “When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not sit down at the place of honor, in case someone more distinguished than you has been invited by your host; and the host who invited both of you may come and say to you, ‘Give this person your place,’ and then in disgrace you would start to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit down at the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” (NRSV)

Reflection
When I read this passage, I immediately thought of my Grammie. My grandmother is the most humble person I know. Every morning my grandmother lovingly sets out my grandfather’s cereal for him. In all that she does, she takes no credit for anything and puts other people’s priorities first. I sometimes forget that she is eighty years old; she takes more care of others than herself, still!

We all know people like that in our lives, people who humble us by showing God’s love in more ways than one. What wonderful reminders they are to us, whether living in a busy city or having such busy schedules that we feel like we work, work, work and at the end of the day think, “I am exhausted, what about me?” Being a patient person can be tiring. Being a caring person can be tiring, especially when you feel like your work can go unnoticed.

Mother Theresa has a wonderful quote that I think sums up our work as humble Christians:

People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

God sees our good work, even if no one else does!

Prayer
Lord help me to always be the humble servant you want me to be. Amen.

Written by Ashley Elskus, Director, Center for Life and Learning

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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