A Country Wedding,
Painted by Jan Steen (1626–1679),
Painted circa circa 1662-66,
Oil on canvas
© Sotheby’s London / Private collection
A Country Wedding,
Painted by Jan Steen (1626–1679),
Painted circa circa 1662-66,
Oil on canvas
© Sotheby’s London / Private collection
At a wedding feast, do not take a seat of honour
Luke 14:1,7-11
Now on a sabbath day Jesus had gone for a meal to the house of one of the leading Pharisees; and they watched him closely. He then told the guests a parable, because he had noticed how they picked the places of honour. He said this, ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour. A more distinguished person than you may have been invited, and the person who invited you both may come and say, “Give up your place to this man.” And then, to your embarrassment, you would have to go and take the lowest place. No; when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that, when your host comes, he may say, “My friend, move up higher.” In that way, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’
Reflection on the painting
In order to connect with our core being, Jesus reflects on some aspects of human experience to say something about our relationship with God. In today’s Gospel reading Jesus is critical of those who seek honour for themselves. At the meal to which he had been invited, he noticed how some of the guests went out of their way to pick the places of honour. Jesus tells us that we should not be concerned about seeking honour from others. What really matters is the honour we will receive from God.
The aspect of human experience that Jesus notices and then highlights in today’s gospel reading is the very human tendency to promote ourselves over others. He tells us that it is the people who humble themselves who will be honoured by God. To humble ourselves is not to make little of ourselves. No, it is knowing our place and potential, but out of that then serving others rather than ourselves; to empty ourselves in the service of others. Jesus emptied himself and humbled himself in the service of others. God exalted him. We too can live with the same confident assurance.
Our amusing painting by Jan Steen depicts a country wedding, where people are dancing and singing and probably fighting as well to have the best places at the table. But once the party is in full swing, it doesn’t really matter where one was seated before. Once the dancing starts, many of the seats of honour that people went out of their way to find are not important once the full feast has started. It is the same for us: we should not seek places of honour, as once the eternal feast in heaven starts, none of it will have mattered in the end.
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A mi el cuadro también me parece muy alegre. Y en el evangelio de hoy también encuentro sentido del humor en las palabras de Jesús.
Hay quienes dicen que Jesús de Nazaret no sonrió nunca, porque no consta en el evangelio, mientras que si consta que lloró. Sin embargo a mi me gusta pensar que era un hombre divertido y feliz, que sonreiría y reiría a menudo. Y más cuando sabemos que cenaba con los amigos y se iba de boda.
Ciertamente es difícil encontrar un cuadro de los mejores pintores donde Cristo esté sonriendo. Pintar su rostro sonriendo se consideraba irrespetuoso.
Sin embargo me pregunto ¿cómo miraría Jesús a sus apóstoles cuando se encontraron ante 5.000 hombres hambrientos, con 5 panes y 2 peces y les dijo. “Dadles vosotros de comer”? O cuando insinúa lo del camello pasando por el ojo de una aguja con su joroba.. O cuando jugaba con los niños frente a los discípulos tan serios …. Exquisito sentido del humor ¿no?
Me encanta ver a Francisco sonriendo y riendo a carcajadas. Una cita de la Evangelii Gaudium “La alegría del Evangelio llena el corazón y la vida entera de los que se encuentran con Jesús”
You have a very good insight into Scripture Elvira. Thank you for ideas on Jesus’ happiness. I know there aren’t many accounts of him smiling or laughing, but as you say he must have done so quite a lot. 😄
I am one of the “silent” members is CA for many years. I don’t comment because it is hard for me to put in words all that I feel. I enjoy reading all you posts and inspirations and thank you all so much for them! You all really “shine through” in your posts and I can’t imagine reading the daily word without your kind words.
I have been a musician all my life and especially in the church for more than 30 years. It fulfills my spiritual needs enormously when singing Gods praises to his sacred scripture . Thanks again to all you regular posters and have a blessed day!
Thank you Jan. I’m sure the words that you would put down would find members of CA more than interested in your viewpoint. 😄
Thank you Jan. Music is so important to the Christian life, to the liturgy and to prayer. An previous PP used to say, ‘Those who sing pray twice.’ I thankyou for your service and I’m sure your parish does too.
Quote from St Augustine (of Hippo).
Thank you, Jan! I love to sing in church and and I love the English program ‘Songs of praise’; I am a big fan. So, thank you that you play your music in church for so many people who love it. Keep up the good work and God bless.
Naughty thought – I always wonder if those people in the congregation on Songs of Praise will be in the church next week when the TV cameras aren’t there? 🧛♀️
Not a naughty thought, Chazbo… it is logical. Of course I hope you are wrong, but… Nevertheless I enjoy ‘Songs of praise’.
Ha! Ha! Ha!
Jan, I’m in complete awe of musicians who help us pray in the Church. I often feel you must understand the mass at a deeper level when you choose appropriate hymns to match the Gospel, occasion etc. I can often feel the depth of prayer when I look at and listen to the musicians. A wonderful ministry and a God-given talent. Thanks to you and all musicians who take the the time and make the effort to share and help bring us closer to God. 🙏😇
🎵🎼🎶💐