Inability to Repay!

Monday, November 4, 2024

Phil 2:1-4; Lk 14:12-14

Today’s Gospel highlights that the guest’s inability to repay should be the reason for Christian hospitality. 

When it is usual for anyone to befriend those from the upper rungs of the social ladder, Jesus invites us to embrace those lower-rung occupants. 

Human life is built on expectations. We willingly bypass some sections of people if we are sure that such alienation would produce no consequences. 

Similarly, one’s importance in society is decided by what the person is capable of giving.

Nevertheless, Jesus changes the social equations for his followers. 

As such, the guest’s inability to repay is precisely the criterion for Christian love. 

It is not difficult for us to understand this because we are recipients of God’s unrequited love. 

If not for God’s mercy, how many of us would be deserving of His love? 

As recipients of God’s love and mercy, we are called to practice them. 

Let us pray that we may practice Jesus’ vision of Christian hospitality and replicate his love. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar