downwardly mobile
“What you should do when you have been invited is go and sit in the lowest place.” —Luke 14:10
Jesus compared life to a wedding party at which we must be careful to “sit in the lowest place.” The Lord may change our seat, but that’s up to Him. Our responsibility is to sit in the lowest place. Which are the lowest places in life? Low-paying jobs, houses or apartments in poor areas, a simple lifestyle, a single life for the Lord, the responsibility of a large family, or a religious vocation are sometimes the lowest places.
Some of today’s lowest places were formerly high places, and the Lord may make them high places again when He exalts those who have humbled themselves (Lk 14:11). Then we will look for other low places. Jesus did this when He took the lowest place by becoming man (Phil 2:7). Then He chose to be born in a stable and laid in a manger (Lk 2:7). He found an even lower place by being crucified as a criminal (Lk 23:33). Jesus still looked for a place lower than the lowest. He found it in the Eucharist. Here Jesus became present under the appearances of common bread and wine, becoming our spiritual food and drink (see Jn 6:55).
Some Christians are called to be downwardly mobile — looking for less money, a simpler lifestyle, or a less appreciated job. We are absurd to the world as Jesus is (see 1 Cor 1:18).
Prayer: Father, may I not miss any opportunity to “empty” myself as Jesus did (see Phil 2:7).
Promise: “All that matters is that in any and every way, whether from specious motives or genuine ones, Christ is being proclaimed!” —Phil 1:18
Praise: Luke joyfully works in a low-paying job and doing volunteer work in solidarity with the involuntarily poor.
Reference: (For a related teaching on Life Decisions, view, download or order our booklet or listen to, download or order our CD 44-1 or DVD 44 on our website.)
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