By Father Tom Knoblach
“Give your place to this man.”
We recently heard Jesus’ parable about humility, prompted as he is among the guests at a banquet. His lesson is clear and explicit:
“When you are invited by someone to a wedding banquet, do not recline at table in the place of honor. A more distinguished guest than you may have been invited by him,
and the host who invited both of you may approach you and say, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then you would proceed with embarrassment to take the lowest place. Rather, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place so that when the host comes to you he may say, ‘My friend, move up to a higher position.’ Then you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table” (Luke 14:8-10).
“Give your place to this man” can be heard as another version of the Great Commandment: “Treat others as you would have them treat you” (Matthew 7:12). At first glance, the parable teaches us to cultivate humility so we might avoid humiliation. But there is a deeper revelation in Jesus’ words here.
In the well-known text from Philippians, St. Paul says:
“Though He was in the form of God, Jesus did not deem equality with God something to be grasped at. Rather, He emptied Himself, becoming obedient to death, even death on a cross. Because of this, God greatly exalted him, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (see Philippians 2:8-11).
So, Christ’s words about the banquet foreshadow his own ultimate humility.
Leaving behind his heavenly glory to take on our human condition, he surrendered not just a place at a table but his very life on the Cross. He has given his place – life in the presence of the Father, united in the Holy Spirit – to each of us. And the Eucharist is where he invites all of us, in our own ways among the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind. While we profess our desire to serve the Lord, it is only possible because He first serves us. He gives his place to us; sometimes as a servant, and sometimes with him at the Cross, but always only so we may share in glory.
As parish configurations change with All Things New, and whenever we see new faces in our churches, we are being invited to something more than human hospitality and courtesy, important as that is. Rather, we are welcoming a member of the Body of Christ, a sister or brother in the same family of God. When we make room for newcomers – in a pew at Mass, but also in our ministries, our Bible studies, our faith formation classes, our parish socials and festivals, our conversations after Mass – we are welcoming Jesus, giving a place to the Lord who chooses to dwell in this person.
We all know what it is like to feel out of place, a stranger, away from the familiar. We know what would help in those moments – to be noticed, accepted, counted as important. When on the other side of that dynamic, the one who is “at home,” we have the opportunity to extend that human and spiritual kindness.
The Eucharist is the source and summit of Catholic life, the living presence of the Risen Jesus who unites us in his Body. At Mass, we anticipate and already share in the Wedding Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7). Now, we share it as those still on the way; someday we hope to enjoy it in the place prepared for each of us in Father’s house (John 14:2).
Jesus gives each of us a place in that Body, and with it the commandment: “Treat others as you would have them treat you.” When we welcome another, friend or stranger to us, we give Christ a place in our hearts and concern as a simple but authentic sign that we embrace the deep meaning of the mystery of his sacrifice for us: Give your place to this one, whoever Jesus sends to sit next to us in the pew.