The central theme uniting the readings for March 2nd is the paradox between humility and exaltation. In a world where we exalt celebrities like Paris Hilton and Brittany Spears, humility plays no part. Yet today's readings clearly reflect the idea the rules of God's world are not the rules of modern day.
Luke 14:1, 7-14 is a lesson from Jesus regarding humility, taught in parable form. Unlike most other parables found in the Bible, however, this one teaches by directive: "When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, . . . go and sit down in the lowest place. . . . [W]hen you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind." (emphasis added) It is only by choosing the positions of humility that one achieves exaltation in God's eyes: "For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. . . . And you will be blessed, because [the poor, crippled, lame, and blind] cannot repay you, for you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
The paradox between humility and exaltation extends to the source of both. While Luke 14 emphasizes our ability to choose the humble life, Psalms 84 and 23 emphasize that God alone has the power to exalt: "For the LORD God is both sun and shield;/he will give grace and glory" (Psalm 18:10) Psalm 23, perhaps the most beloved of all the psalms, affirms God's ability to protect and exalt: "You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me;/you have anointed my head with oil,/and my cup is running over" (Psalm 23:5)
If we are to follow Christ's teaching in Luke, we must sit in the lowest place and invite those less fortunate into our lives. Applied to the modern world, we should seek out positions of humility. Today's teachings urge us to volunteer at soup kitchens, to read and write for the elderly, to give often and much to the poor. Only by being truly humble can we be forever exalted.
-- submitted by Bob DeSilets, Jr.
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