Inviting all into an eternal relationship with Jesus.

In this Sunday’s Gospel (Luke 14:1, 7–14), Jesus teaches the importance of humility and generosity. He warns against seeking the highest places of honor and urges us instead to invite “the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind” to our table. By doing so, we imitate God’s own mercy, giving freely to those who cannot repay us, and we prepare ourselves for the eternal banquet in the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Church has long understood this call to generosity through the seven Corporal Works of Mercy. Rooted in Christ’s teaching in Matthew 25 that “whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me,” these works are concrete acts of love that address the bodily needs of our neighbor:

• feed the hungry
• give drink to the thirsty
• clothe the naked
• shelter the homeless
• visit the sick
• visit the imprisoned
• and bury the dead

Jesus’ parable in today’s Gospel highlights why these works are so essential. To serve those who cannot repay us is to live in true humility, refusing to act out of self-interest. By making space in our lives for the poor and vulnerable, we not only practice charity but also allow God to reshape our hearts in the pattern of Christ’s own self-giving love.

The Corporal Works of Mercy are not optional extras but are at the very heart of Christian life. They are the path of discipleship that brings together faith and works, prayer and action. “The Church’s love for the poor is a part of her constant tradition” (CCC 2444), and every Catholic is called to embody this tradition by concrete service to those in need. Through these works, we not only help our neighbor but also recognize and serve Christ Himself, who told us that the humble will be exalted.

As we reflect on today’s Gospel, let us ask the Lord to open our eyes to those who need our help. Who in our parish or neighborhood is hungry, sick, or lonely? Where is Christ waiting for us to notice Him? By practicing the Corporal Works of Mercy, we follow Jesus’ teaching in today’s Gospel and prepare ourselves for the “resurrection of the righteous” (Lk 14:14), when God Himself will welcome us to His eternal banquet.