20TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME

Many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

In a short story titled “Revelation,” renowned Catholic author Flannery O’Connor describes a self-righteous character who believes she is far superior, in God’s eyes, to people from a different social class than hers. But then a disturbing incident occurs that causes her to question whether God actually sees her in the way she sees herself. What if she is not of greater worth than those she scorns?

The possibility that her own assessment might be wrong is almost unthinkable to the woman, and deeply unsettling. As she angrily questions God, she suddenly has a vision of all those people she disdains making their way into heaven ahead of her. Stunned by what she sees, she is left to grapple with its message. The reversal of first and last is certainly not the order she expected!

In today’s Gospel passage (Matthew 19:23-30), it’s clear that Jesus wants his disciples to understand that the people in his kingdom will not be judged according to the world’s criteria. In his new order, class, wealth, status, position, power, and influence do not guarantee a place of honor. No, Jesus is establishing a whole new set of criteria for salvation, one based on love, repentance, and humility.

As Christians, we know this to be true. But because we are sinful people living in a sinful world, there is always a danger that we will slip into judging people by the world’s superficial standards. We may even start to believe that we are somehow superior to other people.

How can we get our thinking in line with Jesus’ way of seeing people? The answer lies in asking for the grace to see people with his eyes. With the eyes of faith, we see beyond mere appearances, which can often distract us. We perceive people as they really are—as Jesus does—with deep charity and respect for who God has designed them to be. And that’s when we come to realize that we are all God’s children. Whether first or last, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.

“Jesus, give us your vision for the kingdom of God.”

Judges 6:11-24
Psalm 85:9, 11-14
Matthew 19:23-30

WORD AMONG US