Deacon
Tom Writes,
Musical
Chairs
The image Jesus
often uses to describe the Kingdom of God is that of a banquet. Today is a good example. Jesus is invited to a dinner party by
one of the leading Pharisees. The Gospel
opens by saying that … “people were observing
him”. That’s an interesting use of words since
what it really means is that “everybody” was watching Him. That’s because Jesus is the
outsider. He is the one that is
not one of them. These other guests make up the power
elite that keeps the system working …for
them and to suit their purposes. Jesus is well aware of this and
in turn He is observing them as well.
It is easy for Jesus
to recognize the dynamics at work as the guest begin to be seated. Everyone wants the best seat in the
house… at the head table. We can
imagine many people lunging for few seats, an ancient version of “musical
chairs”…. with or without the music. Jesus completely understands that getting
some form of recognition, even if it is only a better seat than someone else,
is an absolute necessity for an immature and self-absorbed ego. And so, perhaps as the dinner guests
are working their way to the head table, Jesus gives them a lesson on humility,
on what it means to have a healthy, mature and appropriate understanding of who
we are.
When we have this
understanding about ourselves, Jesus teaches, only then are we are able to
enjoy genuine guest parties, where we invite our friends regardless of their
ability reciprocate. We are able to enjoy one another’s company because we no
longer have to put ourselves above them or compete with them to satisfy our
egos.
The table fellowship
that Jesus envisioned He has passed on to us in the gift of the Eucharist. Here
at the table of the Lord we share in the Body and Blood of Christ and we become
one in Him, putting aside all that divides us… race, color, economic status,
everything, even our pride and our egos.
We come to the table of the Lord as we are… broken, sorrowful, hungry
and longing to be nourished, healed and forgiven; and, we are humbled to
discover that at God’s table…… there are plenty of seats for everyone!
Enjoy the day!
Deacon Tom
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