October 31, 2022

Philippians 2:1-4

Luke 14:12-14

I love reading stories of the early church and the formation that took place. Today in the letter to the Philippians they are encouraged to “think of others as better than you”. That does not land well for our times but we can interpret it to mean try your very best to make your neighbors life easier and happier each day. Life is difficult enough and believers ought not burden others but always ask ourselves how we can be of service. Our little community has found out that even when we ourselves are struggling to make ends meet we still reach out to help others. The truth is if we do not reach out, we run the risk of throwing pity parties for ourselves.

In the gospel Jesus again looks out for the outcasts. He says to the Pharisee “if you have a banquet invite to it people with leprosy… “ that will clear the room won’t it? Invite sinners… he is inviting and challenging the Pharisee to have room for those who have felt abandoned and left out. Do you know what the word Catholic means? It means “here comes everybody or errbody” it really matters how you make people feel. For the first time, in the presence of Jesus that divorced person felt .. it’s going to be alright.