In this week’s reading, Jesus tells a parable about guests attending a fancy banquet. He warns against taking a seat of honor, in case someone more distinguished arrives and you’re chastened by being asked to give up your seat. Instead, one should take “the lowest place” so that when the host arrives, he may say, “Friend, move up higher”, honoring you in front of everyone else at the table.

Jesus says, “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

This is more than just a lesson about dinner etiquette: this is about how to live according to Jesus’ vision of a good society, which is modeled on the heavenly Kingdom of God. In this earthly world, we spend a lot of time and effort distinguishing ourselves from others— for example, to dress nicely, have a respectable house or a new model of car.

Jesus teaches us, however, that the “real blessings” of life are found when we humble ourselves and sit in the lowliest place—beside “the poor, crippled, the lame, and the blind.”

The act of being fully present at life’s communal table is one carried out every day by Nora, a CMMB HIV/AIDS Counselor in Nzara, South Sudan. She works with HIV+ pregnant mothers and their partners, ensuring that they keep up with their treatment so they can prevent the virus from the transferring from mother-to-child, and follows up with them so their children stay healthy.

Nora says, “They are all my people, I don’t leave anyone behind. I join with them hand-in-hand through counseling and treatment.”

Instead of seeing herself as being apart from those she serves, Norma sees them as “her people.” She walks with them “hand-in-hand” through stigma, fear and challenging treatments. Today, let’s join hands and pray with Nora and all those who seek to humble themselves and work with the poor, the crippled, the lame and the blind.

 

Learn More About CMMB’s Ongoing Mission in South Sudan

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