God sees the world differently than humans do. Human history is filled with stories of how we sort each other into groups, often using hierarchical categories that classify some more important or valuable and others less. Certainly, each person and every brings unique characteristics to the world – different attributes and abilities, different connections and ways of being in the world.
Humans see diversity and begin to divide and assign value. God looks at us with a different lens. God knows all about our differences. God sees each of us in our uniqueness. Yet, God loves each one, period. We are all beloved and held precious by God. Always.
This week’s gospel recounts Jesus at a banquet. He watches people seeking the best seats (the highest-ranking seats according to their culture’s customs) and suggests instead taking a lower ranking seat instead (I think Jesus is teasing here). Then, Jesus encourages them to throw aside the general practices of the day and invite people to parties who cannot repay the invitation or help the host in their social climbing – to act out of generosity rather than self-interest.
What would you do differently if you were acting out of generosity rather than self-interest? How would our world be different if we each chose something generous to do today?
Peace,