31st Week, Monday, Oct 31st
Philippians 2:1-4 / Luke 14:12-14
Look to each other's interests; Be united in spirit.
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How willingly and cooperatively do we place ourselves at the service of
others? "Be humble toward one another. . . . And look out for one
another's interests, not just for your own." Philippians 2:3-4
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As there were divisions also in Philippi, Paul asked his Christians to
work toward unity, a unity based on unselfishness, humility and concern for the
good of others.
We are inclined to love and invite those who love and invite us. Is this
genuine love according to God’s standards? True love is gratuitous and opens
itself to the poor and to outcasts. This is beautiful to say but hard to do.
What is our practice?
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In its most basic meaning, happiness is defined as an emotion that is
generally associated with behaviours like laughter and smiles and maybe even a
bit of euphoria. Usually, happiness is generated when we experience good luck and
good fortune and a good outcome, and hence the corresponding behaviour.
So what brings out happiness in us is when we have something nice happening
to us. But when something nice happens to others, will we also be just as
happy? In the 1st reading, St. Paul tells the Philippians that the one thing
that will make him completely happy is when they are united in their
convictions and united in their love, with a common purpose and a common mind. For
St. Paul, his happiness lies more in whatever good happens to others, than
in whatever good happens to him.
The gospel also has the same message when Jesus told His host, one of
the leading Pharisees that a man is fortunate when people can't repay him back
for whatever good he had given them.
Unfortunately, that is not our idea of happiness. For whatever good we do unto
others, we want it back and maybe more than we give. We would be happier still
when we are constantly on the receiving end of every good thing that we want to
happen to us. But are we determined by what happens to us? Or are we who we
choose to become?
May we choose to be happy for others when good things happen to them,
and be even happier for them when they grow in virtue and in goodness. In
doing so, we have already chosen to be happy people.
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Break the Chain
Much of what unfolds in human commerce is self-interest couched in
mutuality. “You scratch my back, and I will scratch yours” is the principle
that generally guides interactions, be it at a personal level or national or
international levels. It is said that the 1994 Rwandan genocide did not move
powerful nations to intervene precisely because they had nothing to gain out of intervention there – no minerals, no oil fields! On smaller and subtle
scales we do the same in our little worlds as well, which Jesus points out
today. He invites us to be more redemptive and unconditional; to share our
blessings and tables with those who may not return the favor. In other words,
give without counting the cost and with no expectations; and very specially, to
invite those on the margins to the center of our lives. And he promises to
remember our good deeds on the day that counts most!
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Opening Prayer
Lord our God and Father, we come together here as a people to share in the feast of Jesus, our Saviour. Let this celebration be the sign of the feast without end that you have prepared for us. Make us rejoice with you and welcome all with open arms, people from everywhere, all nations, the poor and the rich, the weak and the strong. May all accept your invitation, that we may rejoice with all in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
